Sep. 21--VIRGINIA BEACH -- A normal home renovation can be a chore. Now, imagine fixing up an historic home, especially one built in 1719 that welcomes 15,000 visitors a year.

Today, the city starts rehabbing the Adam Thoroughgood House, the most well-known and frequently toured historic home in Virginia Beach.

The house will be closed to visitors at least through the end of March, said Mark Reed, the city's historic resources coordinator.

"We're hopeful we can get it all done within that time frame," Reed said. "It's probably one of the more extensive rehabilitations."

As part of the $450,000 effort, city officials plan to update the house's 1960s electrical system, replace the doors and more properly seal the brick home to keep out moisture. A federal grant for $150,000 will cover a portion of the costs.

Historic preservation employees will start this week by packing up the pewter dishes, several mirrors from the period, a Bible and other domestic artifacts.

Old newspapers and

bubble-wrap alone won't do for this job.

Crews will wrap the items in acid-free tissue, blankets and a special foam used to ship electronics, said Anne Miller, the city's curator of historic houses.

Historic preservation officials are hiring a fine arts shipping company to pack the heavier furniture. Most of the historic furnishings and household goods will be stored in a climate-

controlled facility, most likely in northern Virginia, Miller said.

Some of the artifacts, including an 18th-century quilt in need of cleaning and stitch work, will be restored while crews are working on the house, she said.

The temporary closing has reminded people of the importance of the house, Miller said.

"We've had a kind of rush for the last couple of weeks of everybody who wants to use and see the house," she said.

Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com

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