Pilot Stabilization Program

     The Mississippi Heritage Trust in conjunction with the National Trust for Historic Preservation developed a Pilot Stabilization Program to stabilize several historic houses and a community building on the Mississippi Gulf coast damaged by Hurricane Katrina.  The goal of this demonstration program was to show that damaged historic buildings could be stabilized and saved rather than demolished.  Three of the houses in the program were knocked off of their foundations by the storm surge and the other one sustained storm surge damage to its first floor.  The community building in the project suffered wind damage which left the building leaning after the hurricane.  The houses that were knocked off of their foundations have been raised off of the ground by a house mover and new foundation piers constructed to support the houses once again.  Buildings were selected in each of the three coastal counties. 

     The Pilot Stabilization Program has been funded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation through the American Express Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, and the World Monuments Fund.  The Mississippi Heritage Trust identified several potential projects for the pilot program and in conjunction with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation selected the final four projects for the initial Pilot Stabilization Program.  The Mississippi Heritage Trust coordinated all of the work to stabilize the historic houses in the pilot program. 

     Below are pictures of some of the different buildings

in the Pilot Stabilization Program.

Walter Anderson Cottage  - Ocean Springs

The Walter Anderson cottage, former home of the famous Mississippi artist Walter Anderson, was one of the houses selected for the program due to its architectural and cultural significance.  The cottage, constructed circa 1850, is still in the Anderson family.  It is a pivotal structure in the Shearwater National Register Historic District in Ocean Springs.  The Cottage was knocked off its foundation by the storm surge which damaged several piers and left the house sitting on the ground.  The house mover raised the house back to its previous level and the foundation piers were either repaired or new ones built.  The owners are working to continue the restoration of the Cottage.

Cottage after Katrina and before stabilization work began.

Cottage during the moving process to raise it

back to its original level.

Cottage after raising the house and new foundation work.

Rear of Cottage after Katrina and before stabilization work began.

Rear of Cottage after stabilization and foundation work.

Balentine Street Shotgun House - Bay St. Louis

The Shotgun style house, built circa 1905, in Bay St. Louis was pushed off its foundations by the storm surge.  Similar to the Walter Anderson Cottage the house was raised back to its previous level and the foundation piers were either repaired or new ones were built.

The house after Katrina and before stabilization work began.

The house during stabilization work by the house mover.

The house during stabilization work by the house mover.

The House after stabilization by the house mover

and new foundation work.

The house after Katrina and before stabilization work began.

The house after stabilization.

Dolan Avenue Bungalow - Gulfport

The storm surge pushed the Bungalow style house, built circa 1920, in Gulfport almost off of its foundation piers.  Because the house was racked by the storm it was unsafe for habitation.  The house was moved back to its original position and was raised 2 1/2 feet higher than it was before the storm. 

The house after Katrina and before stabilization work began.

The house was racked by Katrina as the

tops of the foundation piers are visible.

Large beams were used by the house mover to move the house back to its original position and to raise it up for the new foundation piers.

Foundation piers under construction.

Foundation piers under construction.

New foundation piers and the higher level of the house.

Completion of the straightening of the house, lifting to the new height, and installation of new foundation piers.  Decorative piers in the front are to be be completed shortly.

The house after Katrina and before stabilization work began.

Completion of the straightening of the house, lifting to the new height, and installation of new foundation piers.  Decorative piers in the front are to be be completed shortly.

Masonic Lodge  - Gulfport

The Masonic Lodge in Gulfport, built circa 1910, suffered wind damage from Katrina which left the building leaning and unsafe.  The building has been straightened out by a house mover. 

Masonic Lodge after Katrina and before work began.

Work in progress to straighten out the building.

Work in progress to straighten out the building.

Masonic Lodge after stabilization work.

Click here to learn how to contribute to the

Historic Properties Recovery Fund to help save other historic structures damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

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