My favorite Before & After, Hench House in York, Pennsylvania, was restored right down to replicating the original paint colors. Jim and Jean Leaman rescued the 1887 Hench House from pending demolition by the city and restored it a decade ago. It is an excellent example of what is possible even for a house most people would consider “too far gone.”
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. Every house can’t be saved, some truly are too far gone to be saved, but many houses are destroyed every year that could have been restored. 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 is a wonderful example for others, and that is the reason 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.
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 2026.
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