A historic house in McMinnville is undergoing a renovation estimated at $500,000.

The house is located at 349 West Main Street and was the former home of Frank Davis Farrar, a prominent lawyer who passed away in November 2016. It is estimated the house was constructed in 1826 and its garage/ apartment built in the early 1900s.

Located in the Historic Zoning District, exterior changes must be approved by the McMinnville Historic Zoning Commission in the form of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA). Presenting the application to commission members was Butch Stamp, representing the Frank Davis Farrar estate.

“We are doing structural changes, cosmetic changes, as well as improvements to the utilities as far as plumbing and electrical,” said Stamp. “We’ve also had to dig the driveway and want to put a retaining wall based on the elevation changes. We want to extend the deck on the rear of the house. We are also doing some work on the interior of the main home as well.”

Not much of the house and garage will remain untouched. Exterior work includes doors, façade, guttering, light fixtures, parking, porch, retaining walls, roofing, shutters, windows, and chimney.

Within the main house, there will be construction of a new master bath, master closet, and a laundry/ mudroom, as well as remodeling of the existing kitchen, among other items of work.

The 191-year-old structure it is not on the National Register of Historic Places. By the COA application, nomination papers will be submitted after renovation.

“It is our goal, especially in regard to primary residence, to submit nomination papers to place the home on the Historic Register in the future.”

There will also be an extensive renovation of the garage/apartment interior. Among the projects will be all new wall and floor finishes, plumbing, fixtures, lighting, cabinets, HVAC and appliances, etc.
Historic Zoning Commission members approved the work.

“The work I’ve seen looks good,” said Bobby Kirby. “The plans look good. I have no issue with it.”
Tom Ward added, “As an interested neighbor, I see great construction taking place down there.”

“I’m just so happy it is being restored and we’re saving another historic structure,” said Rachel Killebrew.
The Certificate of Appropriateness was unanimously approved.