Colonial Dorchester Bell Tower

In 2015, the Warren Lasch Conservation Center began the conservation treatment and documentation of a wooden window frame from St. George’s Bell Tower at Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site in Summerville, South Carolina. The window frame was deteriorating due to insect infestation, woodpeckers, fungi, and other environmental factors. The wooden frame is one of the few surviving artifacts from the Dorchester settlement, which was founded in 1697, and occupied until shortly after the American Revolution. The artifact dates from the ca. 1751 addition of the bell tower to St. George’s Anglican church.  

Prior to removal from its original location in the bell tower, it was documented with photographs, a thorough conditions assessment, 3D laser scanning, and 2D hand measured drawings. After removal, it was brought to the WLCC where part of the conservation treatment included X-radiography and anoxic fumigation to eliminate carpenter bee larvae and other insects that were causing damage to the historic window frame. The artifact was then cleaned and put in custom built containers for long term storage at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center. 

A replica of the window frame was made and installed in place of the original at Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site as its biological deterioration and structural damage do not allow for its reinstallation in the bell tower. The wooden window frame will remain in storage at the WLCC until a safe exhibition space is created for it to be put on display for the public.