Repair & Restoration

Unrivaled queen of San Francisco's resplendent Victorian landmarks, Golden Gate Park Conservatorv. erected more than a century ago, is no* undergoing a rejuvenating face-lift.

More than 5000 lineal feet of replacement lumber, including arches, lintels and intricately hand-milled molding framing the myriad glass panes, has been pressure treated with Wolman preservatives, produced by Koppers Co., Inc. Forced into the wood fibers under vacuum pressures of up to 180 pounds a square inch, the Wolman chemical formulation creates a resistant banier inside the wood, adding decades to its service expectancy.

Because it is an officially proclaimed state landmark. dulv listed in the National Register-of Fiistoric Places, the renovated building, with all replacement parts, must be made to look exactly like the original for total design and structural inteerity.

Haas Wood & ivory Works, launched in the Bay City in 1887 and presently headed by Robert Haas, a fourth-generation descendant of the founder. has matched the elaborate gingerbread designs of yesteryear.

The various replacement wood pieces were pressure heated after milling, with the Wolmanizing process performed at the Koppers plant at Oroville, Ca., causing no warping or other impairment of intricate contours. Alf lumber was kiln dried, also at the Oroville facility, after pressure treatment.

CLASSIC DESIGI{, as one of the nation's most perfectly proportioned structures, the Conservatory at San Francisco, Ca., Golden Gate Pdrk, a prefabricated building, was originally shipped around the Horn aboard a windlammer chartered for its transDort. Erected in 1879, it is now being restored.

Preparation for the restoration took over two years with countless core samples taken in all suspected areas to finpoint sections in heed of replacement. Each of 24 mun structural columns is being replaced, posing an engineering problem in interim erection of an adequate suPPort system, and scaffoldine.

Since manf plants are subject to setback from cold air, a standby glazer is on duty to replace glass panels the moment new molding is installed.

Controversy attends the origin of the conservatory originally acquired by California pioneer James Lick for use on his private estate. Some hold it was built in England, patterned after the famed glass house at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Others contend it is a product of Lord & Burnham greenhouse manufacturers at Irvington-on-Hudson, New York. City r-ecords show that in May, 1878, Lord & Burnham work crews were hired to assemble the structure at a cost, according to the contract, "not to exceed $2,050."

Renovation is presently in progress only in the central dome pavilion, with restoration to follow on adjoining wings.

STAIIDBY

Greenhouse Window

Introducing a new 3-dimensional light source and room expander from Bel-Air Door Co. It lets the light, sun, and air in, as well as providing a unique in-door display for plants. All our units are fully assembled.

SECURITY AND 2O-MINUTE FIRE DOOR

Bel-Air Security and 2O-Minute Fire Doors are sglid wood, made from clear, vertical grain Western Soft Wood. They feature bold, ve-rfical lines with 7 3/8" thick plain panels or optional fluted panels. Any door may be purchased with 20-Minute fire rating.

..DOOR.IT.YOURSELF'

Reversible door by Bel-Air Door Co. A factorymachined and assembled door and jamb unit. Easy installation instructions for "do-it-yourselvers." 7-3/8" thick, 80" high. Available in various widths.

t / I ll t tli=- l11r'rtt,1'' STATIONARY SLAT BLINDS

These stationary slat blinds are multi-useful, either as exterior or interior blinds for any window area. l-l/8" thick western pine. Various sizes are available.