The Lundy is under going some significant if not painstakingly slow repairs/stablization efforts at present.

I'm very excited that we have worked w/ a contractor from Marietta, Malone Preservationists to effectively stop the serious water leak/damage that has been the most serious issue with the house.

The house's back roof, along the ridge and two older sections of the wall/and lower ceiling original l section of the house, has a gaping hole apparently and within four hours of its discovery, it was sealed and roofing material was placed over the same; the very next day, a torrential downpour and serious storm tested the new roofing material and temporary patch. IT HELD!

   Soon, thereafter, within hours, we also had a stablized back wall/ceiling area, set off by two two by sixes and several two by fours and various jacks.  The ceiling timbers, six in number, that we re seriously failing and looking as though they could come down any day, along w/ the back wall area of this original L section of the Lundy, was instantly stabilized and the major hand hewn beams were once again, showing support towards the old roof and there was no question, they were lifted up over three inches.
This day's effort, combined to stop all serious leaking and water damage to the inside wall and beams and the old hand hewn beams themselves having  been raised up at least three to five inches, were holding fine.

    This rather brief but materially vital effort, literally changes the entire scope and initial phase of the project of saving and renovating the Lundy.  It was done by one man in seven hours. I couldn't believe it.   All summer long, i was so worried about this back area of the house and the serious amount of water and water damage that was literally eating away at the inside wall of the back interior portion of the original L shaped portion of the back bay area of the Lundy.
    No doubt, this rather small but vital first step, is much larger in scope in consequence than what it looks like from the final work and temporary nature of the stabilizing materials and beams applied, after they were put into place.  The contractor who did this, says he believes this will hold the Lundy thru the winter and ought to maintain the wall and the roof for over a year, if necessary.

   Of course, I would like to envision a much quicker time frame for the real and final restoration to occur on this portion of the National Landmark home but for now, given the serious nature and the mortal threat this portion of the home was under, given the extensive rapid water flow and damage all of the combined failures were having this past year and half on the home, it is quantitatively and qualitify light years moved ahead into a position we can now begin to focus on  the challenges at hand; those that deal with the interior and the other portions and the critical repairs that are needed all around on the interior.

    This is a huge step in the right direction and i wish to thank Keith Malone for his fine solo dedicated effort, which in one day, made such a difference.   I  hope to have him back working on other significant portions of the renovation project soon. 
    I am committed to the overall project, although its taking time to get into position and to get the proper contractors both interested and then actually on site to do this kind of work.  Its been already a lesson and study in patience.  However, its worthwhile and i'm committed to seeing the project thru the final phases when oneday, the home is fully restored and can be opened to the public for both public uses and tours and/or used by the  Midwest Center for Constitutional Rights as a Center's home and central location for its mutlitfaceted purposes.

    This single day, coming after many many days and hours and weeks, if not a few long summer months, of not seeing much true progress, is especially heartening and truly personally encouraging and hopefully represents just the beginning of a whole phase of much more good news to come, on the Lundy restoration project

   We welcome your input and your consideration.  If you would like to know more about the Lundy and /or if you care to assist by way of making a donation, please do not hesitate to contact the Lundy project directly and/or you can reach me, Richard Olivito directly....we are very interested in persons, w/ experience in restoring old homes and in particualar those who know about masonry restoration, brick work on antebellum homes and also, inplacements of older structures heating and cooling systems as well as making such a house refitted for plumbing and related insulate issues as well as interior carpentry and painting of a historical home.

    We always appreciate anyone also, who has a genuine interest in the history of american abolitioinism, and antislavery agitation, the black history of southeastern Ohio and the serious historical nature of the quaker involvment in anti slavery efforts, including the publication of newspapers and the work of assistaing slaves to freedom and the issue of making known the purpose of the Free Labor Store and the Free Soil movement

   This is an important and ritical time and after this first significant stablization effort, we believe the house,  is now in position to truly begin its journey towards full restoration and in a sense, complete its purpose which it was originally dedicated for....