John Downs House (c. 1797), Milford, CT

Home of a weaver, school teacher, and member of the militia who fought with Connecticut forces and served as a Milford Minuteman (a form of home guard)
Evaluated existing conditions; developed a stabilization plan
Replaced widespread rot and controlled the “lean” that had developed over years of neglect
Exterior siding was restored and replaced
Unique existing structural elements, such as ship’s keel beams and mortised and tenoned ribs from a nearby boatyard were salvaged in the structure to retain the core historic nature of the structure