Before & After ~ Hench House, an example of what is possible.
Jim and Jean Leaman rescued the 1887 Hench House in York, PA from pending demolition and restored it 15 years ago. It is an excellent example of what is possible even for a house most people would consider “too far gone.” Every house can’t be saved and some truly are too far gone to be saved, but many houses are destroyed every year that could have been saved.
The historic photo was likely taken just a few years after the house was built. The “before” photo was actually taken after work had started and the roof replaced. The previous roof had failed a decade earlier, allowing water to saturate and damage much of the interior of the house
Knowing it is possible is often the first critical 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, and that is the reason it is 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.
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, including the classic “A Field Guide to American Houses” by Virginia McAlester. Save with our multi-book combo packs!
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
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