My favorite Before & After ~ Hench House, a great example of what is possible – right down to replicating the original paint colors.
Jim and Jean Leaman rescued the 1887 Hench House in York, PA, from pending demolition and restored it a decade ago. It is an excellent example of what is possible even for a house many people would consider “too far gone.” The city was about to demolish this house before the Leamans stepped in.
Every house can’t be saved, some genuinely are too far gone to be saved, but houses are destroyed every year that could have been restored. Knowing it is possible is often the first step toward accomplishing something good.
The restoration of the Hench House by a retired couple who are not wealthy and did much of the work themselves should be an example to others. That is why I used it on the cover of “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.”
Hench House is one of 13 featured houses photographed by noted architectural photographer David Clough and presented between the how-to chapters of the book. These houses range from Maine to New Mexico and date from c. 1760 to 1957.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our shop, YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors, including the classic “A Field Guide to American Houses” by Virginia McAlester. Save with our multi-book combo packs!
© Scott T. Hanson 2023
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