In 1993, while a graduate student in the Historic Preservation Planning program at Cornell University, Kimberly Konrad (now Kimberly Konrad Alvarez of Landmark Consulting) was hired to research the development history and assess the building conditions of this 50+ room English Manor house built in the first half of the 19th century. It was designed by prominent Albany architect, Philip Hooker and built for George Hyde Clarke and remained in the Clarke family for five generations before being acquired by the State of New York in 1968. Hyde Hall is now a State Historic Site leased and operated by the non-profit organization, Hyde Hall Inc.
Kim’s first involvement resulted in a Historic Structure Report that identified recurring moisture problems and resulting material deterioration spanning nearly a century. This study led to the ongoing study of moisture-related conditions at the house and surrounding site through 1994 and 1995. This work involved the use of humidity and temperature monitoring equipment to track climate data and to correlate the conditions with the deterioration that was occurring. Building and conservation issues served as the case study for Kimberly’s Master’s Thesis titled “Diagnostic Methods for the Control of Moisture in Historic Buildings: A Case Study of Hyde Hall.”
In 2007, Landmark Consulting was commissioned to revisit the moisture-related issues at Hyde Hall after a decade of restoration efforts to identify the presence of excessive moisture (humidity), to establish a system of monitoring interior climate conditions and to design repair solutions. This two-year study served as the basis of a grant application to the State Environmental Protection Fund which was awarded in 2010. Landmark Consulting was engaged by Hyde Hall, Inc. to perform an Interior Environmental Condition Assessment which included assessing levels of moisture and humidity; developing a moisture remediation & implementation plan; and creating an interior environmental operations manual to aid the Hyde Hall, Inc. staff and Board and NYS Parks staff in addressing any adverse climate conditions throughout the year.