Ghost Frame Construction

As of February 9, 2023, the project has not been awarded and has been placed on hold while the owner attempts to secure funding. A timeline for award has not been established. Historic St. Mary's City is soliciting bids to replace our ghost frame structures at our facility as part of the St. Mary's City Outdoor Exhibits Improvement Program, the replacement of 15 three-dimensional structural outlines known as "Ghost Frames" is planned 12.The Contractor shall begin and end performance within one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days from date of award of contract Project Cost Class A - Up to $100,000 There are a total of 21 locations identified with 15 existing frames standing at this time. For this bidding purpose we are focusing on the replacement of the 15 existing frames. Six of these will be 20 by 20-foot dwelling-type structures with certain refinements such as doors, windows and chimneys, all depicted in outline only. Four of these are enlarged to 20 by 30 feet to indicate there was some variety in the architecture of the town with three 20 x 30 barn-like structures. The two remaining frames are a shedlike structure and the Coffee House where the plans are attached. Some modification to the chimney structure of this building will be required. We are asking the contractor for pricing on several differentcombinations and alternatives, for example 1 frame rebuilt verses all or a combination of frames which will be listed in the bid schedule Each ghost frame will be constructed of all treated dimensional lumber including 6"x 6" posts and beams with mortise and tenon, 8' high at the eaves line and 16' high at the ridge line to imitate colonial construction methods. However, some modern fasteners and other materials may beappropriate for durability (see diagram 3). The green appearance of pressure treated wood is to be covered by applying a wood preservative solid brown stain (TBD) on all surfaces that would also help protect the timbers. Each frame must be supported by 8 x 8 x 16 hollowmasonry blocks placed at each corner and at any termination of the sill-like doorways a maximum of 6 inches and a minimumof 2 inches in the ground so that the bottom of the frame is not in direct contact with the soil. Also included in the securing of the structure to the ground are half rebar placed through each concrete block extending through the sills and into the ground a minimum of 2 feet. The block cavity must be filled with concrete to secure the rebar from moving. This length may be shortened on a case-by-case basis contingent on archeological sensitivity.

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