Remodeling a 166 year old house.

[Kai]

Hi all,
My wife's parents have passed on and the house has been passed on to one of the children. The house was purchased in the early fifties and was the home to their 15 children. it has been passed on to one of children who has elected to completely remodel the house to today's standards. This will include new wiring, plumbing, heating, etc.
The house started its' life as a Boarding house when it was first built sometime in 1840.

Below is a link to some photos of the project.

I will continue to add photos as work progresses.
So far the foundation has been repaired and the building leveled. New siding, new windows and a new roof has taken care of the outside. We are now stripping the interior walls down to the studs as well as the ceilings. We are keeping as much of the original woodwork as possible as most of it is mahogony and has never been painted. There are lots of wear marks and it was decided not to fill them or repair them in any way because they are the result of 15 children being raised and have too much history to wipe out with some sort of filler.

http://family.webshots.com/album/555504890kIxYRx

 

[majorloser]

It's nice to see some preservation work being done. That house is a piece of American history.

I love those rough hewn "studs"
That wall ain't going nowhere.

 

[nuance]

they don't build'em like that anymore. Being a carpenter I know how much work would've went into the house in 1840. No powertools are you nuts

Looks great

 

[Audioholics]

We own a 1920 home - I see a lot of the same type of construction. It's awesome remodling these types of homes (we just redid our kitchen and there's a lot more work to be done still).

I love the fact that you have so much that was untouched - most older houses went through at least one clueless owner that decided aluminum windows and vinyl siding would be a great way to save some money.

 

[jlcct]

What a project. I helped my cousin out on a house very similar. We had a hell of a time finding all kinds of animal homes inside the walls. The walls were filled with sticks and leaves and a nasty kind of a mulch. That's one serious project.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

most older houses went through at least one clueless owner that decided aluminum windows and vinyl siding would be a great way to save some money.

"Damn it Martha, they save some money on the home-heatin' oil, but I can't see crap through these new windows!"

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

This will include new wiring, plumbing, heating, etc.
The house started its' life as a Boarding house when it was first built sometime in 1840.

Aww, but lead-based paints and cotton-wrapped electrical cables are awesome!

 

[aspaceintime]

been there...

I recently finished minor rehabbing a 100 yr old house. Lot's of unknown unknowns when you get into it, plan on being surprised but be patient, when you finish it will be awesome! It's a great excuse to buy more tools! Lot's of resources & info available for trim, etc... you also become proficient @ googling.

 

[Kai]

No lead paint. Matter of fact no paint at all. All original solid oak wood work with the original finish. Carefully removed and stored until refinishing time. Oaint on the walls but the walls are gone now lol.

Entire interior is down to the studs and they were shaking their heads today because there is not a plumb wall in the house hehehe.

This is a historically significant area and this is one of the oldest houses in the village after General Brown's mansion which is across the creek and several houses down the road from my house. I live across the street from this remodel project.
Down the road a few miles is Sackett's Harbor where important battles in the War of 1812 were fought. Matter of fact General Brown, we live in the village of Brownville...hmmmm coincidence? I think not..., was the head of the Army back then.
http://www2.flickr.com/photos/chimommy/sets/72157594314126223/

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Dude, you live about 10 minutes away from me.

Your house is built on an ancient white-guy 1812 burial ground. you've probably got a few soldier skeletons buried beneath the rose bushes. So now you know why the walls bleed at 2am.

 

[Alvaro Rogers]

What style is your house? Who designed your house, and when? This is your starting point for exploring home design and residential architecture. You'll find tips and tools for researching your house, remodeling your house, adding curb appeal, and building a new house. You'll also find facts about famous houses, historic houses, and important trends in home design.

 

[DaveHo]

Oooookay...

 

[highfigh]

What a project. I helped my cousin out on a house very similar. We had a hell of a time finding all kinds of animal homes inside the walls. The walls were filled with sticks and leaves and a nasty kind of a mulch. That's one serious project.

So you're calling it 'mulch', eh?

 

[dkane360]

So you're calling it 'mulch', eh?

tisk tisk, bumping up an old thread?

I wouldn't have minded if the link to the pictures still worked lol