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Madison board approves rehabilitation of 1844 "Custer House" with conditions to retain front siding and window patterns
Summary
The Madison Historic Board of Review granted a certificate of appropriateness to Finley Properties LLC for work at the Custer House, a contributing 1844 structure, with conditions to preserve front and east‑facing wood siding and maintain window grid patterns; the decision followed public comment about the house's Black heritage significance.
The Madison Historic Board of Review on Jan. 27 approved a certificate of appropriateness for Finley Properties LLC to rehabilitate the Custer House at 111 East Fourth Street, a contributing structure built in 1844, subject to conditions that require retaining the house’s front and east‑facing wood siding and matching window grid patterns.
The board’s approval followed a lengthy discussion of materials, siting and historic integrity. “I thought the wood siding looked really good to me,” board member Bill Jewell said during the findings discussion, noting the siding appears to be high‑quality historic material. Owner Matt Finley described the proposal as a rear 20-by-30‑foot addition and a garage to make the house a three‑bedroom, 2½‑bath home, and said he intends to restore the front facade and match the historic window pattern.
The board’s nut graf: board members acknowledged parts of the house had been demolished before the current application and said the project preserves and rehabilitates the visible historic elevation while allowing a new, distinguishable addition. Link Ludington, a former co‑owner who addressed the board during public comment, urged preservation of the house’s history and civic significance, saying the structure “was worth moving because Bob Coram and I determined that it was worth moving as a significant black heritage site.” Ludington also described efforts in the 1990s to save and move the house and said much of the original siding now remains only on the facade.
In findings the board emphasized the guidelines to retain and preserve original wood siding and to repair rather than replace where possible. The board accepted the applicant’s plan to preserve front siding and reuse salvageable boards where practical, and required new siding on non‑historic portions to be six‑inch fiber‑cement (LP) to match the revealed profile where feasible. The motion that passed also specified that replacement windows on the front must use the same grid pattern as the historic windows.
Board members discussed roof options; the applicant will use asphalt shingles unless he seeks staff approval for standing‑seam metal. Staff will coordinate required building permits and any needed variance for lot‑line work with the building inspector.
A majority of board members voted to approve the certificate with the conditions described. The board noted the house’s complicated recent history — including prior relocation and partial demolition — and recorded appreciation for the owner’s investment and stated intent to preserve visible historic fabric.
The board’s action grants Finley Properties permission to proceed under the conditions recorded and directs staff to issue a certificate of appropriateness and to work with the applicant on building permits and any staff‑level approvals.
