Boston – The rededication of the restored former African Meeting House, now the Museum of African American History, on Beacon Hill in Boston, took place at the National Historic Landmark in December. The three-story structure, built in 1806, is theboldest extant national African American church building in the U.S., and was constructed primarily by free black artisans. The museum, restored to its 1855 appearances, reopened to the public on its 205th anniversary. NECA Boston Chapter contractor, J. & M. Brown Company (JMB) of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, provided electrical construction and restoration of the historic building as well as installations for the new adjoining structure, which houses an elevator and staircase to allow for handicap access.
The project scope encompassed providing the 5,364 square-foot, two-century old structure with a new electrical service, interior and exterior lighting, fire alarm system, and tel-data infrastructure.
J. & M. Brown met unique challenges at the extraordinarily tight site, among them the integration of electrical service from the main electrical and mechanical room located in the basement of the new adjoining building into the historic structure. Accurate layout of wiring was essential, as all cables were chiseled through the brick walls of the structure,
and numerous floor boxes were cut into the existing historic wood floor.
Coordination of the new electrical and mechanical room was also critical, as the compact space holds equipment for electrical, HVAC, and UPS, as well as the elevator control room. The building’s small footprint and lack of storage space for equipment necessitated that all trades bring in only equipment that would be installed in the ensuing
week.
JMB’s lighting installations at the Museum of African American History included the revitalization of centuries’ old gas powered fixtures to electrical. The grand chandelier in the sanctuary was also refurbished and converted to electrical. JMB utilized a special motorized lift in the attic for its installation. Special wiring was required for the pulpit stanchions’ light fixtures. Theatrical lighting was also installed for special events and guest speakers.
The fast-track project started in November 2010 and was completed on an aggressive schedule in November 2011. J&M. Brown Project Manager Robert Carabia and Superintendent Dale Blue managed the firm’s electrical crew, based out of IBEW Local 103. Shawmut Design and Construction of Boston provided general contracting services.
The rededication ceremony was attended by Massachusetts dignitaries, including Diane B. Patrick, First Lady of Massachusetts, Mayor Thomas Menino, and Beverly Morgan-Welch, Executive Director of the Museum of African American History.
Architect: John W. Waite Associates, Albany, NY; GC: Shawmut Design and Construction, Boston,
MA; EE: Plus Group Consulting PLLC, New York, NY