Restoration of Illinois Yearly Meeting House for the Religious Society of Friends

As you may know, the Illinois Yearly Meeting House has been enjoyed by the Religious Society of Friends since 1875. Unfortunately, time and elements have slowly begun to take a noticeable effect on the building. Old Blue Illinois, Inc. has been contracted by the Religious Society of Friends to restore the building. The involved individuals from Old Blue Illinois, Inc. are successfully making progress on the restoration and have prioritized their actions as is indicated in the contract.

As you will see from the photographs, remediation is necessary to repair damage to floor joists, sommer beams and sills from termites and/or rot. The trusses have also spread and Old Blue intends to pull them back together by use of cables and turnbuckles. Turnbuckles are installed as of now, and will be adjusted when the building is raised to pull the trusses together. The north side of the building has settled significantly. It will be lifted in order to level out the building and to install the new sill material. Sommer beams will be repaired and replaced and will connect to the existing sommer beam-ends by means of a scarf joint. The new sommer beams will connect to the sill with a tenon.

Some of the flooring has been lifted to allow access to the joists, sommers and sill. The existing flooring will be reinstalled once the repairs have been made. The floor joists will also be replaced as needed.

Stowe Electric and Trenching has been contracted to replace the wiring in the building. Again, the attached photos indicate damage to existing wires from rodents and time

Old Blue is currently cutting the new sommer beams and will return to the building site the week of August 23rd.

Please see the attached photographs and contact Rick Collins, President of Old Blue Construction with any questions or concerns you may have.

A larger more detailed image is available by clicking on each picture.

Live termites were found in partition wall on the north side of the building and also in a floor joist near the partition wall on the north side of the building.

Restoration of Illinois Yearly Meeting House for the Religious Society of Friends As you may know, the Illinois Yearly Meeting House has been enjoyed by the Religious Society of Friends since 1875. Unfortunately, time and elements have slowly begun to take a noticeable effect on the building. Old Blue Illinois, Inc. has been contracted by the Religious Society of Friends to restore the building. The involved individuals from Old Blue Illinois, Inc. are successfully making progress on the restoration and have prioritized their actions as is indicated in the contract. As you will see from the photographs, remediation is necessary to repair damage to floor joists, sommer beams and sills from termites and/or rot. The trusses have also spread and Old Blue intends to pull them back together by use of cables and turnbuckles. Turnbuckles are installed as of now, and will be adjusted when the building is raised to pull the trusses together. The north side of the building has settled significantly. It will be lifted in order to level out the building and to install the new sill material. Sommer beams will be repaired and replaced and will connect to the existing sommer beam-ends by means of a scarf joint. The new sommer beams will connect to the sill with a tenon. Some of the flooring has been lifted to allow access to the joists, sommers and sill. The existing flooring will be reinstalled once the repairs have been made. The floor joists will also be replaced as needed. Stowe Electric and Trenching has been contracted to replace the wiring in the building. Again, the attached photos indicate damage to existing wires from rodents and time Old Blue is currently cutting the new sommer beams and will return to the building site the week of August 23rd. Please see the attached photographs and contact Rick Collins, President of Old Blue Construction with any questions or concerns you may have. A larger more detailed image is available by clicking on each picture.
Animal access hole under foundation.	Remnants of floor damage due to termite damage. Floor joist was near center of partition wall.	Live termites in flooring near partition wall in North side and center of building	Northeast corner showing wanescotting removed and sommers cut back to remove damage.
North wall foundation showing staircase framing and animal nesting.	North wall foundation indication foundation depth and condition.	Cracking in plaster in northeast wall due to building and truss separation.	Tie beam separation. Separation varies from 7/8 inch to 1-5/16 inch between bents 1 and 5.
Live termites were found in partition wall on the north side of the building and also in a floor joist near the partition wall on the north side of the building.	Termite damage to sommer beam.	Epoxy repair work necessary to damage in sommer beams.	Sommer beam rot. Rot was especially prevalent near center of building.
Rodent damage to wires in attic.	Northeast corner showing wanescotting removed and sommers cut back to remove damage.	Trillium Dell Timber Framers working new beams for the Yearly Meeting House.