Historic house gets a fresh, new look
With THPRD’s historic Schlottmann House on SW 158th Ave. in need of a fresh coat of paint, the district didn’t have to look too far for an eager project manager.
Mike Janin, THPRD’s superintendent of Security Operations, maintains his office in the early 20th century residence. A history buff, Janin successfully angled for the opportunity to put a distinctive mark on the building.
“I told Doug (Menke, THPRD’s General Manager) that I wanted to put historical colors on the house,” Janin said. “The HMT Complex is our flagship campus, so let’s have buildings that stand out. I love restoration, and I knew we could make the house pop if we could restore it with period colors.”
The Schlottmann House was completed in 1906, after German emigrant Heinrick Schlottmann settled on part of the 92-acre property that is now the HMT Complex. The house was moved to its present location after the district purchased the property.
Before proceeding with the project, Janin consulted with the Washington County Historical Society, the Washington County Museum and two Schlottmann family descendants.
“I also met with the color designer at Sherwin Williams, I laid out the colors, and she agreed they were correct for the 1910s and ‘20s,” Janin said.
After wearing white for more than a century, the house is coated in two tones of green, with wheat window borders and roycroft copper red on the window sashes.
The facelift didn’t end there.
THPRD’s Maintenance crews replaced the deck boards, a project that was made more challenging by some corrosion in the foundation. New pillars were fabricated and installed, and some greenery was removed to expose the latticework.
“On old houses, that lattice served a purpose,” Janin explained. “It was a venting system to keep the area underneath the porch dry.”
The last step of the restoration – new roof shingles – is scheduled to be completed this fall.
“I believe people can really see and admire this historic house now,” Janin said.