I know, right? A big attraction for me of buying an old house is learning its history. I didn't imagine starting with nothing, but in some ways that means everything is an exciting discovery. :P
Hats off to you and your husband for seeking out the history on your home. I love history and old "stuff" but didn't take the time to learn about a property that we had bought. I was in such a hurry to move in! That was years ago, so I'll live through your stewardship of this property and do better next time.
To be honest, Kate, we probably wouldn't be learning as much this quickly if the house had been move-in ready. It's helpful to have dates and clues, though, because we can ask better questions of the neighbors once we get moved in. Someone must remember the pilot who lived in that house, surely?
Looking amazing! Those roofers are so brave. Heights are definitely not my thing. Love the treasures that you are finding. Looking forward to you piecing together the history of your home. ❤
Heights are not my thing, either, Pamela. I have vivid visions of falling to my death from them. Makes flying and climbing castle turrets a bit interesting. ;)
For some reason my comment about the previous owners disappeared. Maybe because I mentioned specific websites. James R and Robert Ferguson, sons of previous owners were both pilots. They worked for Mohawk and Allegheny airlines. I found this information in old obituaries online.
Hopefully, you were able to keep some of the airline and pilot documents, since it is directly connected to previous owners. Would be nice to frame and hang on a wall.
We have found Robert Ferguson's obituary, but we're not sure that it's the same Robert who owned the house as the town he lived in is an hour away from where the house is located. I saved a couple of the letters and memos and the stack of flight manuals (which aren't in as good a shape, but felt much more interesting!)
Great progress on the roof! Just today, we found some bricks in our yard. We’ve been working on the shed, and while levelling the ground out side the door, I found a brick path buried under years of dirt. We will definitely be repurposing them. We also have some old windows we’ll be using inside as picture frames. We found old newspapers under the flooring that we saved as well. I love repurposing stuff from our little red roof cottage. ~ Mrs. Coffee 😊☕️🇨🇦
What a fantastic discovery! Did the brick path lead anywhere in particular? I keep hoping we might find something similar in our yard (such as from the front porch to the mailbox), but no such luck yet. I love that you saved the old newspapers. I hadn't considered using the windows as picture frames. I'm not sure we have art pieces that big. But then, one can always acquire new art ...
Those old bicycles are great garden art. They look pretty as a trellis for plants or a prop in the corner. I have a glass paned window like that and I use it to put holiday vinyl peel and sticks on. They look awesome with Christmas greenery and bow draped in the corner. During off seasons, you can put vinyl quotes. I have one that says, “live life to the fullest and make a difference along the way.” Enjoying the progress on your house.
What a GREAT idea for the window! My mom had a set of holiday vinyl peel and sticks and I used to love putting it up. Oooh, I have so many ideas of what could go on that window now. And I love your quote! Thank you for all the great ideas. :D
It's an interesting idea. I'm not sure I'm a yard art kind of person, but then I didn't think I was a "get excited about roofs and driveway and septic" person either. What a wild journey owning your first house is!
The barn was extremely cool. It was unfortunately way beyond our financial ability to restore and save as is. However, we are going to use those beams for raised garden beds, so all their legacy will live on. I LOVE that you live in a post and beam house! That is some classy construction.
Oh wow, yes we also repurposed tons of brick..wonderful that it is there for you. Now my entire farmhouse and land is landscaped with them. It is a great feeling and you get to re-live it a bit every day when you see them years later. And you make me laugh, because my friend and I said "when did it change that we now get super excited about 'x'? (now always house related), when wasn't it just yesterday we were only excited about a hot date or getting our 80's hair as big as possible!?"LOL.
I'm 100% with you and your friend. I never in a million years thought I'd become *that person* who is so interested in house things, but here it is. I love that you repurposed the brick you found too! Honestly, I think I might be getting greedy; we have lots of brick from the chimney (and the second brick chimney, which we'll discover in an upcoming video), but my vision for how to re-use it is far outstripping current supply!
The guys seem pretty acclimated to the roof, but it definitely is not where I'd want to be. I'd probably be OK on the porch roof, which is closer to the ground and has far less steep of a pitch.
I really appreciate that, Susan! It's from the video editing software I use. I listened to quite a few tracks before picking that one; never thought so intentionally about music choices before, but there are a lot of options!
Was a nice surprise to see a new post this morning.The roof is really coming along and I can already picture the house when it is painted with the green trim.Going to look fabulous.Over here in New Zealnd if you are working on a roof you have to have scaffolding all around the house for safety so wondered about your building code rules in America,do they differ state by state?
I'm so glad you enjoyed the update. :) I believe our building codes do differ somewhat by state. But also, scaffolding here is usually on taller buildings that can't be gotten up with ladders. I've lived in several states and it's common for folks to use ladders to get onto the roof, as they did here. So now I'm thinking maybe there's a minimum number of floors you have to have before scaffolding is required ...
You should be able to go to the county/ city records office and look up that property and see when that house was built and by whom etc... all past owner's should be there. Some places call the office by a different name but city planner's, office of records etc ..
Or a local genealogy can provide some information as well. Libraries are a good source as well! Can't wait to see what she will find in those places on her free time or some "down" time to spend the day of searching these people and the people before them, their occupation and public information shared by all.
We have the county office on our list of places to visit once we have some free time. And the local library and historical society, too! We simply haven't had the time between both having full-time jobs and setting up doctors, etc. in a new state AND trying to visit the property once or twice a week to see the progress. Very much hoping to do some of that research in January - April window when there isn't much going on outdoors.
Those would be soft bricks that are ok for chimneys and walls but not for sidewalks. On a horizonal layout they probably would deteriorate quickly from the freeze and thaw cycle
Oh! It hadn't occurred to me that bricks could be different consistencies, but that makes complete sense. So maybe more of a raised garden bed wall than a pathway. Thank you so much!
@@waynebender8835 Several people suggested that, and I can see the appeal. However, Peter and I aren't sure yet how we want to do up the yard. So we've decided to scrap it for now, and if we want another one in future, it should be easy to find something at a thrift or charity store. :D
This is a most excellent idea, Heather, and one I hadn't considered. Thank you very much! Does it matter what you soak the bricks in to remove the mortar?
Wow, not only do you have a wonderful house to save, you have a history to uncover, very exciting, the roof is looking great, ❤
I know, right? A big attraction for me of buying an old house is learning its history. I didn't imagine starting with nothing, but in some ways that means everything is an exciting discovery. :P
Hats off to you and your husband for seeking out the history on your home. I love history and old "stuff" but didn't take the time to learn about a property that we had bought. I was in such a hurry to move in! That was years ago, so I'll live through your stewardship of this property and do better next time.
To be honest, Kate, we probably wouldn't be learning as much this quickly if the house had been move-in ready. It's helpful to have dates and clues, though, because we can ask better questions of the neighbors once we get moved in. Someone must remember the pilot who lived in that house, surely?
Looking amazing! Those roofers are so brave. Heights are definitely not my thing. Love the treasures that you are finding. Looking forward to you piecing together the history of your home. ❤
Heights are not my thing, either, Pamela. I have vivid visions of falling to my death from them. Makes flying and climbing castle turrets a bit interesting. ;)
For some reason my comment about the previous owners disappeared. Maybe because I mentioned specific websites. James R and Robert Ferguson, sons of previous owners were both pilots. They worked for Mohawk and Allegheny airlines. I found this information in old obituaries online.
Hopefully, you were able to keep some of the airline and pilot documents, since it is directly connected to previous owners. Would be nice to frame and hang on a wall.
We have found Robert Ferguson's obituary, but we're not sure that it's the same Robert who owned the house as the town he lived in is an hour away from where the house is located. I saved a couple of the letters and memos and the stack of flight manuals (which aren't in as good a shape, but felt much more interesting!)
Oh fun! Archeological and ancestry research! Love it! Glad the roof is coming along as well! ❤
Yes! All kinds of things to research. Something to look forward to during the grey winter days. :)
Great progress on the roof! Just today, we found some bricks in our yard. We’ve been working on the shed, and while levelling the ground out side the door, I found a brick path buried under years of dirt. We will definitely be repurposing them. We also have some old windows we’ll be using inside as picture frames. We found old newspapers under the flooring that we saved as well. I love repurposing stuff from our little red roof cottage. ~ Mrs. Coffee 😊☕️🇨🇦
What a fantastic discovery! Did the brick path lead anywhere in particular? I keep hoping we might find something similar in our yard (such as from the front porch to the mailbox), but no such luck yet. I love that you saved the old newspapers. I hadn't considered using the windows as picture frames. I'm not sure we have art pieces that big. But then, one can always acquire new art ...
Those old bicycles are great garden art. They look pretty as a trellis for plants or a prop in the corner. I have a glass paned window like that and I use it to put holiday vinyl peel and sticks on. They look awesome with Christmas greenery and bow draped in the corner. During off seasons, you can put vinyl quotes. I have one that says, “live life to the fullest and make a difference along the way.” Enjoying the progress on your house.
What a GREAT idea for the window! My mom had a set of holiday vinyl peel and sticks and I used to love putting it up. Oooh, I have so many ideas of what could go on that window now. And I love your quote! Thank you for all the great ideas. :D
@@HoneyAppleFarm it was really nice to see the completed roof and porch. You guys are doing a great job.
@@apiecemaker1163 Awww, thank you!
The bicycle could be used as a yard art. Paint put a bucket or basket on the front and put flowers or herbs. Everything looking good!
It's an interesting idea. I'm not sure I'm a yard art kind of person, but then I didn't think I was a "get excited about roofs and driveway and septic" person either. What a wild journey owning your first house is!
A post and beam barn! How cool. We live in a pst and beam house.
The barn was extremely cool. It was unfortunately way beyond our financial ability to restore and save as is. However, we are going to use those beams for raised garden beds, so all their legacy will live on. I LOVE that you live in a post and beam house! That is some classy construction.
Oh wow, yes we also repurposed tons of brick..wonderful that it is there for you. Now my entire farmhouse and land is landscaped with them. It is a great feeling and you get to re-live it a bit every day when you see them years later. And you make me laugh, because my friend and I said "when did it change that we now get super excited about 'x'? (now always house related), when wasn't it just yesterday we were only excited about a hot date or getting our 80's hair as big as possible!?"LOL.
I'm 100% with you and your friend. I never in a million years thought I'd become *that person* who is so interested in house things, but here it is. I love that you repurposed the brick you found too! Honestly, I think I might be getting greedy; we have lots of brick from the chimney (and the second brick chimney, which we'll discover in an upcoming video), but my vision for how to re-use it is far outstripping current supply!
Yay, more green! 💚Those guys on the steep roof made me nervous to watch - but I guess they're used to it :)
The guys seem pretty acclimated to the roof, but it definitely is not where I'd want to be. I'd probably be OK on the porch roof, which is closer to the ground and has far less steep of a pitch.
You have so many treasures laying around, I'd be distracted too! Love seeing the progress!
LOL. Thank you for the validation, Wendy! It's truly amazing how much things we keep uncovering.
Loved your roofing music!😊
I really appreciate that, Susan! It's from the video editing software I use. I listened to quite a few tracks before picking that one; never thought so intentionally about music choices before, but there are a lot of options!
Looking good, can't wait to see it when it's finished 😀
Thank you! We're looking forward to seeing it finished, too. :P
Very interesting. Hope you find out more information!
I hope we do too, Kathy. The mystery is part of the fun of an old house. :D
Was a nice surprise to see a new post this morning.The roof is really coming along and I can already picture the house when it is painted with the green trim.Going to look fabulous.Over here in New Zealnd if you are working on a roof you have to have scaffolding all around the house for safety so wondered about your building code rules in America,do they differ state by state?
I'm so glad you enjoyed the update. :) I believe our building codes do differ somewhat by state. But also, scaffolding here is usually on taller buildings that can't be gotten up with ladders. I've lived in several states and it's common for folks to use ladders to get onto the roof, as they did here. So now I'm thinking maybe there's a minimum number of floors you have to have before scaffolding is required ...
I love your house!
Awww, thank you! I'm so grateful that I get to share the journey with you.
Librarys keep records of that kind of stuff and other things .
We are hoping to visit the local library this weekend as we're staying in a short-term Airbnb right around the corner! I have so many questions. :D
You should be able to go to the county/ city records office and look up that property and see when that house was built and by whom etc... all past owner's should be there. Some places call the office by a different name but city planner's, office of records etc ..
Or a local genealogy can provide some information as well. Libraries are a good source as well! Can't wait to see what she will find in those places on her free time or some "down" time to spend the day of searching these people and the people before them, their occupation and public information shared by all.
We have the county office on our list of places to visit once we have some free time. And the local library and historical society, too! We simply haven't had the time between both having full-time jobs and setting up doctors, etc. in a new state AND trying to visit the property once or twice a week to see the progress. Very much hoping to do some of that research in January - April window when there isn't much going on outdoors.
@@HoneyAppleFarm When weather gets cold, it's good to be inside doing demo or painting. Fun times ahead!
Those would be soft bricks that are ok for chimneys and walls but not for sidewalks. On a horizonal layout they probably would deteriorate quickly from the freeze and thaw cycle
Oh! It hadn't occurred to me that bricks could be different consistencies, but that makes complete sense. So maybe more of a raised garden bed wall than a pathway. Thank you so much!
The bicycle looks like from the late 1950's to the 1960's. It depends on the name brand.
Ah! So I was right; it isn't a modern bicycle. I thought it looked retro. Thank you, Wayne!
@@HoneyAppleFarm Might be worth while using as a decorative part of the house.
@@waynebender8835 Several people suggested that, and I can see the appeal. However, Peter and I aren't sure yet how we want to do up the yard. So we've decided to scrap it for now, and if we want another one in future, it should be easy to find something at a thrift or charity store. :D
Try soaking your bricks to get the mortar off.
This is a most excellent idea, Heather, and one I hadn't considered. Thank you very much! Does it matter what you soak the bricks in to remove the mortar?
@@HoneyAppleFarm 1 part vinegar to 5 water.
@@heather1387 Got it. Thank you again!