Before & After ~ The Marguerite Emerson House in Portland, Maine, survived an extended period of abandonment and vandalism before being restored by my friends Vana and Ralph Carmona between 2020 and 2024.
A previous owner’s attempt at restoration was never completed and vandals had destroyed the interior to steal copper pipes and wiring and architectural trim elements. Fortunately, although deteriorated, the exterior remained relatively intact.
Missing interior finishes replicated and all new electrical, plumbing, and HVAC were put in. Original windows and doors were rehabbed and kept along with exterior trim and siding. Following completion of the work on the house, they built a new carriage house style garage on the footprint of the missing original barn.
I wrote “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners” to give people a one-stop, go-to source for information on all historic house rehab and restoration aspects. It is gratifying to know Vana’s copy of the book has been well used.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors.
© Scott T. Hanson 2026.
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