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(Editor’s Note: Lynne Christensen, the CedarShake & Shingle Bureau’s director of operationshas worked for the CSSB since 1998 and isinvolved in a variety of departments with a focuson marketing. Christensen holds a master ofbusiness administration degree as well as theCertified Association Executive credential.)

notable Greek revivalhouse is the centerpiece ofthis 200-acre family home-stead east of Austin,

Texas. Completed in 1857, the main houseis nestled in a grove of ancient oaks. Thisproject is teeming with history.A.W. Hill came to Texas in 1835 with a

group of family and friends who settled inthe area. Hill fought in the 1836 Battle ofSan Jacinto, helping to earn a critical victoryin the Texas Revolution. In that same year,he acquired half a league of land, 2,200acres, for cotton farming. Over the next 20years the young entrepreneur and his wife,Evaline, lived in a modest log cabin. Afterthey prospered, he was able to build her agrand Greek revival home, “The BigHouse.” Graceful and elegant interiorspaces created a harmonious blend withoutdoor vistas that took advantage of theexpansive, pastoral countryside surround-ing the homestead.In the years that followed, Ancient Oaks

would survive tense encounters with Indi-ans and the Civil War. As it weatheredthese historical events, the family’s fortunesalso rose and fell. The family lost theirhome to the bank during the Great Depres-sion.

Respecting the PastFast forward to 1981. The current own-

ers visited the property as newlyweds, eagerto relive stories told to the owner by hergrandmother, who originally learned themfrom her own father, the owner’s greatgrandfather. The couple even found anovergrown cemetery that served as testa-ment to the family’s long standing associa-

Ancient OaksA Glorious Texas Restorationby Lynne Christensen, CSSB’s director of operations

200-ACRE FAMILY HOMESTEAD NEAR AUSTIN, TEXAS.

Photos courtesy of Rick Patrick.

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tion with Ancient Oaks. Another 25 yearspassed. The present owners of AncientOaks used to live in California, but theirdream to bring Ancient Oaks back into thefamily grew stronger with time. Eventually,they decided to move back to Texas, andmade an offer to buy Ancient Oaks, whichwas not on the market at the time. Imaginetheir delight when their offer was accepted.And so began a labor of love that was to lastsix years.No detail was overlooked, and the origi-

nal character of the house was preserved.The finished home is a true testament to theTexans who built her, as well as to thosewho proudly maintain her heritage forfuture generations.

Natural, Beautiful & Top QualityThe Certi-Split® Cedar Shake Roofing

was selected for the new roof. The CedarShake and Shingle Bureau (CSSB) manufac-turer selected was Anbrook Industries Ltd.

(Anbrook), Pitt Meadows, British Colum-bia, a longtime CSSB member. It is fittingthat Anbrook was selected as the roofingproduct manufacturer; this particular com-pany is a multi-generational family busi-ness and Anbrook’s products are certifiedunder the Sustainable Forestry InitiativeProgram. Premium Grade Certi-Split 18” x1⁄2” hand split and re-sawn western redcedar shakes were installed with great suc-cess on the main house, as well as on thehouse addition. John Volz, AIA, of Volz &Associates, Inc., Austin, Texas, stated “pos-itive previous experience with Certi-label™products on restoration projects eliminatedthe need to look for any other roofingproduct.”

Major ChallengeOver the years, a great many areas of the

main house had fallen into dis-repair. Dur-ing the 20th Century, the house was vacantfor some time. In addition to serving as amulti-generational family homestead,Ancient Oaks has also been featured in sixmovies. Thus the restoration work to bedone included far more than mere cosmeticimprovements to carpets and curtains.Complete structural stabilization was nec-essary from both a safety and a longevity

perspective. For example, the four originalbrick chimneys were restored to their origi-nal splendor. Prior to restoration, onechimney had collapsed and the other threehad separated from the house. Thankgoodness a complete dismantling was inorder, for it was soon discovered that some-one had bolted a portion to the house withsteel anchors.One detail to note is the use of computer

modeling to design the exterior cornice and

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other missing historic architectural ele-ments. The Volz team recreated the lostpieces by using a collection of 1930s His-toric American Buildings Survey pho-tographs (HABS), a good example of mod-ern technology at work in architecturalrestoration. Local artisans with materialsexpertise and preservation experience wereconsulted throughout the project, especiallyon the custom millwork. Specialty compa-

nies provided everything from carpets tolace curtains and hand painting of repro-duction roller shades. Wood is used exten-sively throughout the home, both insideand out.The dedicated consulting team included:

restoration architect: John Volz, AIA, LEEDAP; decorative arts historian: Candace M.Volz, ASID; structural engineer: PatrickSparks, P.E.; landscape architect: Catherine

O’Conner, RLA; contractor: Restorhaus, LP;craftsmen: Joe Tongate, Restorhaus, LP(wood repair); Peter Hausmann & CynthiaMcMullen, Hausmann Walls (decorative fin-ishes; graining, marbleizing, stenciling,wallpaper); and Teri Jefferson, Jefferson ArtLighting (reproduction solar light fixtures).The owners’ vision and dedication to his-

torical accuracy made this project trulydelightful. “The owners are great, funclients and working on the Ancient Oaksproject was such a privilege,” said JohnVolz.

Modern Lifestyle Blendswith Traditional DesignIn addition to reclaiming Ancient Oaks,

the owners moved back to Texas to be nearfamily in the Dallas/Fort Worth area andbusiness interests. Both husband and wifemaintain active home offices at the main res-idence. Accommodating necessary comput-er technology, therefore, was a prime con-sideration on this project. In order tominimize intrusiveness on the historicalbuilding fabric, wireless technology wasinstalled throughout the main house andancillary structures. Also, because AncientOaks is located in an area prone to wildfires,the owners installed a residential sprinklersystem; recessed sprinkler heads and cus-tom colors on the caps helped camouflagethe system within the historic-design ele-ments.

Energy Efficiency NeedsCerti-label cedar roofs are well known

for their insulating qualities, helping to keepthe home warmer in the winter and coolerin the summer, naturally, and with lessenergy usage than other products. Therestored window blinds, also known as shut-ters, are fully functional, opening and clos-ing to control sunlight. Window film wasused to prevent fading of furniture, acces-sories, and fabrics. New insulation and airinfiltration barriers were installed under the

Ancient Oaks

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re-used original siding that was supplemented with new matchingsiding as needed. A two-speed geothermal system was installedand gently concealed. Native plants were carefully arrangedaround the site to re-establish a natural prairie that once surroundedthe house. Rainwater is collected for watering cattle.

A Treasured SiteToday, Ancient Oaks is proving popular with community resi-

dents. It has been the venue for a Christmas fundraiser for the Bas-trop County Historical Society. Ample space and guest quartersallow for large family gatherings and invitations to a myriad of

Ancient Oaks

INTERIOR VIEW OF ANCIENT OAKS. THE HOME IS LISTED ON THE NATIONALREGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.

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friends. A casual elegance pervades therestored homestead, and this stylereflects the good-natured spirit foundthroughout Bastrop County. The recentwildfire storm through the Lost Pinesforest that devastated Bastrop Countyalso caused widespread concern aboutAncient Oaks. The fire burned 40,000acres and 1,700 structures; it came with-in half a mile of the home. Completestrangers, worried about the restoredproperty, telephoned to see if AncientOaks withstood the wildfires, furtherunderscoring the appreciation that Bas-trop County has for its history. Theowners took comfort in the fact thatthey had chosen a fire-retardant treatedCerti-Split shake roof for an added levelof protection.

Living HistoryThere is a wonderful sense of peace and serenity at Ancient

Oaks. The property is listed in the National Register of HistoricPlaces and is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. Today, AncientOaks proudly displays the area’s heritage as well as the owners’

deeply rooted love for their home. Strength, vision, and determina-tion, no doubt passed down from ancestors who built the home-stead, are evident in the finished project. Ancient Oaks demon-strates that rebuilding the past, although time consuming, iseminently possible and is quite frankly, a beautiful site to see.