Guest Author - Cindy Kessler

Many of us have had the experience, triggered by a historic home or location, in which we felt as though we were transported to another time, another era. In my case, it has happened repeatedly – in a medieval castle in France, in a Second Empire home in Indiana, and in major historic homes like Monticello in Virginia – but none of these experiences was as strong or as meaningful as the first time my husband took me to his family home; the home which his great-grandfather built with his own hands. Due to urban sprawl, and the progress of the local coal mine, we lost our beloved home last December.

As tragic as this event was for our family, it is even more unfortunate that this story is so common. Many of these grand old homes are being lost – in some cases literally – to the tides of time.

So, what can we, as a society, do to preserve our own history? It’s easy.

First, get involved!

There are many websites and magazines that cater to the cause of Historic Preservation. Some of the best around include: The National Trust for Historic Preservation , Preservation Directory , The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation , and PreserveNet . Start getting into the conversation – find out what the conservation and preservation issues are in your home town and then find out what they could use help with. There is so much history right under your feet, if you have the time to look for it!


Second, get out!

It’s not enough to just want to save your history, you have to actually know what you’re saving. Odds are good that there are a slew of historical properties dotted all around you. Do a little research and see! Then, get out of the house and go visit. Most historic homes and museums only continue operations because of the donations of visitors. For a small fee, you get to see a part of our past – you get to learn about what people liked, what they didn’t like – and you may even learn how to improve your own life. With the emphasis on green building, it’s important to study the houses of the past for several reasons – they didn’t have the fancy-shmancy new materials that we have, they had to use what was locally available. They didn’t have air conditioning or central heating, so they had to make their houses very efficient, and they had to use their resources to the best of their abilities. And, let’s face it, they had a sense of style that seems to be missing in many newly constructed buildings…

Ok, so you’ve seen every historical building around… You’ve read all the magazines, websites, and books… What’s next?

Well, if you’re handy, you could take a class in building reproduction furniture. Or, you could volunteer as a docent at a local historical site.

Or, if you are in the market for a new home, if you feel relatively handy, and if you just can’t bear to see another historic home lost, you could purchase your own historical home. They come on the market all the time and, even if they need a little work, the pride of knowing that they will be around for another few decades with just a little of your TLC is well worth it! My favorite source for restoration hardware and fixtures is Renovator’s Supply, Inc.. Even if you just want to add a touch of historic feel to your current home, check them out!

If you have taken the time to put love and care into a historic home, please share your story with us on our History Forum!