State Capital Publishing Museum
Partnership Overview
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Phase 2 Window Restoration
✔️ Location: Guthrie, OK
✔️ Type: Museum / Civic | Historic Windows Preservation
✔️ Historic Designation: National Register of Historic Places (Co-operative Publishing Company Building, 1973) | Part of Guthrie Historic District (NHL, 1974, 1999)
Duration: Fall 2023 – Spring 2024
About the Work
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Built in 1902, the State Capital Publishing Museum—originally the Co-operative Publishing Company Building—stands as one of Guthrie’s most important landmarks. Designed by architect Joseph P. Foucart, the building once housed Oklahoma Territory’s first daily newspaper.
On November 16, 1907, crowds gathered at its iconic second-floor balcony as President Theodore Roosevelt’s teletyped announcement of statehood was received and shared with the public. Inside, the first-floor lobby still holds original drawers and furnishings, and the basement contains century-old printing presses that come alive during annual fundraisers.
Old Home Rescue was brought in to carry out a comprehensive window restoration, ensuring the building remains strong, functional, and historically accurate for the next 100 years.
Preserving the Past with Craft, Care, and Integrity
Challenges & Solutions
→ Preserved original old-growth lumber wherever possible. For replacements, used Accoya wood (50-year decay warranty) for sash and Sapele for storefront windows due to rot resistance.
Severe deferred maintenance and improper past repairs
→ Many original sash were missing or beyond repair. We preserved openings, jambs, and sills, then fabricated replica sash with mortise-and-tenon joinery using Accoya. Added spring bronze weatherstripping and custom brass hardware for draft reduction and authenticity.
Altered storefront windows
→ Non-historic replacements were removed. Using historic photographs, we rebuilt two replica storefront windows to return the façade to its original design.
Scope of Work
- Replica historic sash for double-hung windows and transoms
- Preservation of window frames with Abatron Wood Repair System and Old Home Rescue’s Preservation Painting Practices
- In-situ restoration of first-floor storefront windows, entry doors, and basement awning
Preservation Practices
- Work guided by Window Preservation Alliance standards
- Original materials retained and repaired whenever feasible
- Abatron consolidation per NPS Preservation Briefs 9, 11, 26, and 45
- Accoya sash selected for its 50-year rot resistance
- Premium preservation paint system applied per NPS paint guidelines
Materials & Methods
- Wood & Frames: Accoya sash; Abatron wood consolidation; rot-resistant pine, fully primed
- Glazing: Sarco Type-M putty; historically appropriate glass thickness
- Hardware: Forged brass with antique finish
- Weatherstripping: Spring bronze for draft control and durability
Painting: Dunn Edwards AristoShield topcoat over H-I-S Majesty 1900 primer, fortified with titanium dioxide for longevityiate materials that align with the standards of preservation authorities, like your local historic preservation office. This ensures your property maintains its authenticity and timeless charm.
Results
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- Historic windows restored to near-original appearance and function
- Efficiency and durability improved while meeting preservation standards
- Visual integrity of Guthrie’s historic downtown reinforced
Why Old Home Rescue?
Old Home Rescue has experienced remodel contractors that specialize in preserving historic buildings and exterior home remodeling. Unlike many remodel contractors, our approach is grounded in thorough research. Before starting any project, we ensure our subcontractors fully understand the why and how behind each task. Since 2015, we have assessed more than 3,000 historic homes and buildings, completed more than 500 projects on old house renovations, and restored over 4,000 historic windows. Old Home Rescue brings the expertise and experience you need for successful historic building preservation.