The Historic District

It looks like it is charred inside. Maybe it is for starting a fire and making coals. You can then put the coals into an oven after the smoke dies down? Maybe for heat, but then I would expect to see vents in the door so you could close it and still get a draft.

Any pictures yet?

Look for hand rail rosettes. They should be at most big box stores. They come in round and oval. Usually oak. I don't think code allows you to use wood as a cover, needs to be non flammable if I recall. I would put the steel cover on with a small hole for the wires. Oval Example. •4 in. x 5-1/2 in. ...

You can put on a boiler reset too if you do not have one. It will adjust your boiler temperature based on the outside temperature, so you are not running your boiler at full blast on warm days. It replaces your boiler temperature control and has a sensor you need to run outside the house.

Just a few thoughts. You did not mention your door jams or seals. Make sure there is no leakage there. I have used the outlet seals and they are ok. I have also pulled out the plugs and drilled holes into the box and spray foamed behind the box with the window low pressure foam. You probably need a ...

When my parents bought an old house that had them, we bought a backhoe, dug them out and capped the lines. Nothing was leaking, so done deal and I got to learn how to use a backhoe. I would dig them out and see what you have before you call anyone. I am not one to dump waste or what have you, but th...

I would look at the location of the thermostat, and the wiring setup. Being that winter is the issue for you, I would suspect that the thermostat may be getting fooled by the heat from the boiler and other zones? Do you know if the thermostat switches when the water gets cold? It would be interestin...

I've done some years ago, and used everything from a palm sander, wire wheel, heatgun and sanding by hand to get to all the areas. Your hinges look different than mine since they are on the side. Is the hinge pin removeable? Maybe you can remove them and replace the pins when you put them back int? ...