Before and After ~ This pair of photos of a Greek Revival house in Thomson, Georgia , comes from livingvintageco.com. They illustrate well what is possible with a thoughtful and careful approach to restoring a historic house.
In this house, you can see that original materials and features were retained and restored where possible and missing elements were replaced with compatible materials, taking design cues from the style and period of the house.
Close analysis of the photos suggests that most of the historic fabric was preserved, with only the porch deck, railings, and stairs being reconstructed with all new materials. The stairs were returned to their original location, aligned with the main entrance to the house, and the missing chimneys were rebuilt.
While long seen as symbols of white Southern culture, today, the historic Antebellum houses of the region are finally being recognized for the fine craftsmanship and labor of the enslaved people who often built and paid for these beautiful buildings. They are physical documentation of the achievements of enslaved black Southerners.
All aspects of home restoration are covered in “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.”
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors. Save with our multi-book combo packs!
“Restoring Your Historic House is also available in bookstores nationwide.
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
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