Seaside Preservation


The Fulton Mansion was constructed 1874 - 77 by George Ware Fulton.  At the time, the residence was considered one of the extraordinary buildings of the Costal Bend with its unique, laminated wood structure, shellcrete foundations, sophisticated ventilation, gas lighting, water collection, heating systems, and imported, modern accoutrements.  This special property is now a State Historical Site that is administered by the Texas Historical Commission.


Volz & Assciates, Inc. recently completed a detailed conservation assessment of the Mansion and will begin work on a major stabilization project shortly.


Key Restoration Issues

  1. ★Control of moisture and high interior humidity

  2. ★Conservation of historic shellcrete

  3. ★Eradication of rot fungi

  4. ★Significant structural repairs to rotting and termite-damaged wood structure

  5. ★Window restoration

  6. ★Roof and gutter restoration

  7. ★Mechanical upgrades to improve environmental conditions within the museum

  8. ★Protection of the building and its contents from hurricane wind and storm surge.


Scope of Services

  1. ★CADD Drawings, 2010

  2. ★Documentation and assessment of conditions, 2010

  3. ★Design and Construction services for Stabilization and Restoration, 2010


Location

Rockport, Texas


Historic Designations

  1. ★National Register of Historic Places

  2. ★Recorded Texas Historic Landmark

  3. ★State Archeological Landmark

  4. ★Subject Marker


Project Links

Fulton Mansion State Historical Site

 

Fulton Mansion

Original shellcrete beams and foundations retain salts that decompose the binder and corrode adjacent iron beams.  Volz & Associates is working with Sparks Engineering to develop a strategy to salvage the shellcrete in tact while replacing the corroded iron structure.

Exterior walls above the basement are constructed of staggered 1.5” x 5” boards nailed together with cut nails, creating a solid wood structural core.  At the interior, cypress lath forms a lattice over this framing, which is finished with plaster.  The exterior is finished with flush vertical siding and beveled wood quoins - very unusual for Texas.