[MassHistPres] Cork Floor Preservation

[Penni Martorell]

Wistariahurst Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 
is the former home of William Skinner, a prominent silk manufacturer.
Originally built in 1868 in Williamsburg, MA, after the 1874 Mill River 
Flood, the structure was dismantled, moved and rebuilt in its current 
location at 238 Cabot Street, Holyoke, MA.
Belle Skinner, daughter of William, made extensive renovations and 
additions to the home between 1911 and 1923.
Wistariahurst is dedicated to preserving Holyoke?s history and inspiring 
an appreciation of history and culture through educational programs, 
exhibits and special events.

Our breakfast room has a cork tiled floor that is showing signs of 
deterioration.
The room gets significant sun with two walls of windows. 
The tiles are 6" square and the high traffic areas are cracking, crumbling 
and have recently been easily gouged.
The floor was installed during renovations in 1913, presided over by 
architect Clarence Sumner Luce.
Or normal maintenance routine for this floor includes monthly washing with 
mild soap and water. Annually it gets buffed and polished with a paste 
wax.

If anyone has experience with a similar cork floor we are interested to 
know:
1)  what kind of maintenance routine adhere to in order to keep the cork 
in good shape,
2) is there a way to treat, coat, or seal the floor to prevent further 
damage,
3)  Are there any floor specialists with experience with antique floor 
materials, who might be able to advise us.

Thank you for your insights

Penni Martorell
Curator of Collections/City Historian
Wistariahurst Museum
238 Cabot Street
Holyoke, MA 01040
413-322-5660
martorellp at ci.holyoke.ma.us
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