A Century-Old Botanical Treasure

Nestled in the heart of St. Petersburg, Sunken Gardens is a lush, tropical oasis and the city's oldest living museum. Established in 1903 by George Turner Sr., a plumber and avid gardener, the gardens began when he drained a shallow lake to create a fertile landscape for his exotic plants. Over the decades, it evolved into a beloved roadside attraction, drawing visitors with its vibrant flora, cascading waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. Today, Sunken Gardens continues to enchant guests with its rich history and natural beauty.

Austin Historical's Restoration Scope

Austin Historical was honored to contribute to the preservation of this historic landmark through the meticulous restoration of its steel windows. Our scope of work included the restoration of four steel window units, comprising nine 3-lite sashes, nine fixed lites, and two 4-lite sashes, totaling 44 individual glass panes.

Restoration Process

• Surface Preparation: All windows were carefully stripped of flaking or loose paint, glazing putty, and glass to prepare for restoration.

• Structural Repairs: Damaged steel components were assessed and repaired using new stock or epoxy as needed to ensure structural integrity.

• Rust Treatment: All metal surfaces were treated with Ospho rust treatment to prevent future corrosion.

• Priming and Painting: Windows were primed with an industrial-strength primer and painted with two coats of 100% acrylic paint to ensure durability and aesthetic consistency.

• Glazing: New 1/8" annealed glass was installed, bedded, and glazed with linseed oil putty to match the original appearance.

• Hardware Restoration: Existing hardware was tuned, restored, and reinstalled as needed to ensure proper operation.

This restoration effort was conducted in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and the National Park Service Preservation Brief 9—The Repair of Historic Wooden Windows.