In 2007 and 2008, the Wyandotte Museum staff worked with Community Alliance Project Director Lee Williams to complete the Burns Home Restoration Project. The City of Wyandotte, Wyandotte Cultural & Historical Commission and the Wyandotte Community Alliance combined efforts to restore this building to serve as the new Museum Research and Archival Facility.
The exterior of the home has been restored to its 1908 appearance. Using an archival image discovered in the Museum collections dating c1910, the original façade has been accurately and carefully recreated, including complete reconstruction of the original porches and a period appropriate color palette.
Support for this project includes sponsorship from the DDA, Wyandotte Community Alliance, the City of Wyandotte, BASF, and Behr Paint Corporation. Changes have included:
- Removal of aluminum siding
- Restoration of original clapboard siding
- Restoration of original wood window trim
- Recreation of original porches
- Period appropriate paint scheme (paint courtesy of the Behr Corporation)
- Restoration of original front door
- New roof and gutter installation
- Paint removal from brick foundation
- Reproduction wood window installation
- Updated electrical
- Air conditioning installation
- Hardwood floor refinishing
- New Lighting fixtures
- Interior plaster repair
- Interior paint
- Fence removal to join all three Museum properties Interior Paint
Additional changes to the property are yet to come, and include transformation of the garage into a matching carriage shed, and period landscaping plan. The Wyandotte Museums thanks all the dedicated groups and individuals that made this project possible!