I cannot understand why Pete hasn't got thousands more subscribers..I watch so many of the youtube videos of many homestead channels,and his has to be up in the top 3,always really informative,fun and ever interesting..God Bless Pete and Hillary and fsmily.
He’s prob no fan of me, but I have tons of respect for him. RUclips is full of fake guru’s and wanna be’s, but Pete’s the real deal. He’s doing it for real! He does a RUclips channel about his working, thriving farm. He’s not a RUclips channel using farming / ranching as a subject matter. Plus he’s a Dexter ranch. That’s very near and dear to me, I am 1000% sold on that breed. I’ve seen so many who don’t know what the heck they are doing, and the welfare of their animals suffered.
I've been in construction for more than 50 years and all I can say is WOW! The variety of skills and the perseverance that you demonstrated in all of the buildings that you restored and built are just amazing to me! I noticed you relocated the doorway out of the old basement, and that alone was a lot of work. Then on top of that running a successful farming operation and selling at a farmer's market as well, plus your mechanical skills in rebuilding and painting the MD last winter, you truly are a man of many talents! I grew up on a dairy farm in Pa, and really miss the machinery end of it, but while I like milk and milk products, I have never missed milking the cows. :)
He is not boring,he is way too interesting to be called boring,to me he is a breath of fresh air after some of the smut and fakery channels. Decency will alway prevail in the long run.
This story is far more interesting and enjoyable than anything that was on the tv. My wife even wandered into the room while I was watching it. After standing and listening for a couple of minutes, she sat down and had me replay part one and restart this conclusion to the story. She agreed that it was far more enjoyable than what she had planned to watch on the tv. You now have another fan.👋🇨🇦👍👍👍👍👍
Agreed. Put down the cell phone, unplug the microwave, plant a vegetable garden, chill some milk, PERCOLATE a pot of coffee, bake some cookies then go sit outside and talk to your neighbors. You and your family are not only Blessed, you are in fact a Blessing to US !
8-13-21 I'm so glad you ignored the naysayers, and chose to renovate rather than destroy the home your ancestors built. It's a joy to see the beauty and sense of time and place that you've created in preserving the family homestead. Thanks for sharing your journey!
Just want to say thank you! This channel has inspired me so much!! I’m a really girly girl (city girl afraid of power tools lol) but since I started watching this channel I’ve been building stalls in my little barn and replacing rotten boards and repairing the fences by myself with what I’ve got lol. It’s not all perfect and I have RUclips to teach me skills but we raised more livestock this year than our whole 7 years here combined and restored 4 of my 20 acres of overgrown pastures!! Your message of doing things yourself with what you have available has taught me so much and helped me see that I am capable of a lot more “boy jobs” than I thought haha. Thanks so much for your great content!!! 💕🐐🐇🐓🦆💕
I'm a guy but I grew up with a similar mindset. I grew up without a dad with a mom scared of her shadow and anything unknown. As a poor and struggling dad (no money to fix things in and around our very old house, which was all we could afford), I opened up and talked with a man who had grown up with a dad who included him on all projects. He shared about a conversation he had with his father and it changed my life: "Garth, you see how I just ruined $100 worth of stuff? We'll have to go buy $75 worth of stuff over. I know exactly what I need now and how to do it. You know, it would have cost me $300 to pay someone to do this so we still came out about half price and now we both know how to do this." You go girl !!! There is such a kick in figuring out how to fix things and seeing them done. It is worth all of the band-aids and second trips to the hardware store.
What a fabulous story. Well told. The progress pictures showing your family moving in along the way were awesome. Your attention to detail is superb. Back in the 90s I did the same, and spent 9 years building a home and addition as my family expanded - so I could totally relate.
I just love this home project and the way he is so respectful of his family’s past. The amount of his personal time spent and all the work he did is phenomenal! And what a great example of caring and of productive work for his children! He left them a legacy!
My cousin and his wife bought a piece of property that has a house on it from 1792. Took it apart piece by piece and rebuilt it back to it's old glory, up to code. It's absolutely gorgeous. Repurposed allot of things like you did. You did a great job on this house. Enjoy many more years.
Wow, I really enjoyed this video. My parents are immigrants from Cuba and Mexico, so they didn’t have much to offer to us here other than bringing us to a better place (the best gift ever). So now we are able to build an estate to pass down to our children in this country. Your family may have been dirt poor by the standards back then, but they left something so rich for future generations to build off of. It’s absolutely wonderful how you’ve restored what they left and inspiring how you honored what was already there! Congratulations!
Your home is beautiful! My husband built our home in 1999. He did the same with reading books on how to do wiring and plumbing. We love our home and are proud of what we accomplished.
What an AMAZING, EXCEPTIONAL, MAN - a stand-out, amongst 4 billion other men! So genuine, polite, patient, humble, intelligent, inquisitive, multi-skilled, brilliant, hard-working, family-focused, etc, etc ….. His family & ancestors so blessed! 🇦🇺🤗
This has been inspirational to me. My family and I bought a 1880 Colonial in Wyoming, NY and it gets to be overwhelming at times the simplistic way of describing working on one wall/side at a time is what I needed to hear. Thank you
For many years, PBS “This Old House” was a favorite program, but I enjoyed this as much or more. Very few people have the opportunity to renovate a family home, and I thank you for sharing the experience. I was exhausted just watching, as your level of energy and ability are inspiring. You’re also an excellent presenter, everything was to the point and there were no wasted words. How astonished and proud would be your ancestors. Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. -Proverbs 24:3-4
My dad was a contractor and passed in 1988, he was known all over for his plaster work and skills, he took great pride in his work, like you do, this was so great to listen to you talk about your life and the skills you have learned. Thank you for this video!
This is by far the most honest and real life stories and experiences. Thank you Pete. Here’s a new cow joke for you… What do you call a heifer that just gave birth? Decalfeinated.
This was so incredibly fun to watch and be inspired by. What a blessing to be able to rebuild on your family’s homestead and with your family. Thanks for telling this story.
Sure enjoyed watching this. My Grandpa sold his farm and years later all the farm was torn down . So sad, there is just a corn field replacing my memories now.
I grew on a farm that was built before my state existed, about 120 years old . My parents sold it as part of their divorce. By 1999 all our buildings, even the new ones had been leveled & a new house where the beloved animals were buried. I get what you mean. Its sad almost hurts.
My dad and I built 22 houses, before pneumatic tools became the norm. We pretty much built those houses with the same tools you used. By the time I was 14 I could set and sink a 16 penny nail into a wall stud in 2 strokes. Set, Sink that was it. Of coarse I've taken off my thumb nail a few times over the years. Before he started building houses, my dad was a interior boat finisher for a company in Stockton, Ca for 12 yrs, before they stopped building with just wood. He carried that meticulous character into the houses we built. Every cabinet joint had to be seamless, and he had it built into the contract with the supplier. They only tested him once, never again. Anyway I really enjoyed listening to your journey on your families home. My dad's home is in Wilton, New York, and from what I understand and see, it's still standing and occupied by one of his cousins. My great great grandmother bought the 80 acre farm for 3000, and the farm became the families living. Well I'm getting long winded. Have fun on your projects. Mike
Blood, sweat, and tears… I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your hard work and commitment to restoring your family’s history. What a lovely home!!
My husband is a forklift mechanic and has had the same job for 21 years. This year on 5/21/21, he too left his job to start up his own business. Now he has time with his kids, his wife of 26 years and it is awesome to have here more often.
Couldn't have torn me away from your story if it had been a 4 hour long video.... Your work on your place is excellent and shows your workmanship. You're an interesting man, Pete.
This series was very interesting. I really enjoyed watching the process of rehabilitating your family’s home, how you carefully recreated so many features of the original house but also how you made it your own, creating space that would serve your own family’s needs. Great series Pete. Thank you for sharing the details.
Just watched this. Enjoyed it immensely. I remember in 1970 my stepfather using a hand drill. Looked something like an hand egg beaters. I own a Makita drill and a impact hammer drill. Used the regular drill. Both cordless. By the way. I'm 84 and a woman. Learned a lot from my stepfather and my uncle.
This guy has found so much peace within himself and happiness, this is how he shares with us his life. Iam truly greatful you can give so much to others, sure does feel good and you can sure tell no matter what you are doing. I look forward to more this is new vlog for me and excited for aure.🤗
You are the most hard working ...dedicated ..talented...wise ..honest...down to earth man ! Thank you for sharing this beautiful story of your home and family.
Stumbled upon this modern day "old timer". Scrolling through you tube... You know, they don't make people like this anymore. People who want to work with their hands, operate a homestead, wake up at sunrise and do a legit honest days work.
Excellent story teller. I have always wanted to save old houses. Glad you were able to save your GGPs hand crafted home with your wife and live the life of your dreams. 🙌🏻 You kept the integrity and forthright of the original home and I find this very special. Houses are alive. Wood is alive. Stones. Foundations. All alive. Not too many people get to follow their bliss. #inspired
Great Video. My house I bought in 2019 was built in 1880. I only held it for two years and sold it, but I regret doing that. In the next buyers market (God willing) I will get back out into the country. I had an old Amish barn (1960's) and the previous owner put up a 75x40 regular pole barn. My neighbor and I found out about a church in Bowling Green, Ohio that was selling a 1960 Ford 200 model tractor with a mower rig on it. We bought it, took it to my pole barn and we pressure washed it, put in a better ignition and we were so proud about 7 months later when someone bought it for 2500.00. We put in about 300 bucks for a battery and that ignition. All it really needed was repainting. IF I would get back out to the country, I would get another one with a better shift pattern. Man that old Ford was hard to figure out. LOL. What a great family you have. The best part is when you finish and you invite them over for steak or a really great dinner or family function. My dad was a bricklayer but was way past production when diabetes brought on a lot of complications. Your house looks really great. Loved both video's. What a great job.
Well, Pete, I’ve watched both parts of your family’s truly incredible story and journey, and after these few words I’ve just typed, simply cannot find any more….. I’m now speechless.
We have the early 1900-1920 Alaska Mining Camp style of architectural going on at our place with a Salt Box influence. A lot less fancy but incredibly functional and efficient as well as being super fast and less expensive. Love early American architecture. 👍🏻
I watched the whole videos how amazing this man is. The house to the garage to the addition was done so well. This man was a go getter and enjoyed wat he did he did an amazing job on it all. He should get a award his work for sure. Very good work.
Pete, this is the only channel I watch where a 26 minute video can fly. Other channels in the past I have found myself hovering over the video to see how long is left but these 2 part videos were a delight to watch. I guess I just love family history and to see it being cared for and protected and not just thrown out with old is a credit to yourself.
I love old stories like this. You share memories everyday just by walking your house and yard with people you never knew. Great Great Great ancestors!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
One of my favorite RUclipsr retired and I was sad til I found you Pete. Love your love of history. Your house is alot like the house I grew up in 87 yrs ago so your story made me a bit homesick. I’m definitely a follower now!
I have so much respect and appreciation for what you have done to make this world a beautiful place. We are just custodians of this beautiful world and of what our ancestors left behind. I believe they did things more with love, just as you did, because when we touch and feel and see what we do, we bring aliveness, depth and an unexplainable connection to it. I am sure, each inch of your home has that feeling somewhere, in the air. Such a beautiful narration and you are a great builder and a much greater story teller 🧡
I completely rebuilt my home from 1997 to 2011. Like yours, very little of the original is left, and there is a whole lot more of it. I did find artifacts. Every third bay of the framing had a Miller bottle. They framed the house drunk. I have designed and built my entire life. The best thing I learned was to be acutely aware and listen to the rhythms. Additions tell you where they need to be, stones tell you their place in a wall, a space tells you when it it is in balance. I built high end modern in my youth. The older I got, the more I relied on traditional architecture for real expression.
I was so excited to see the rest of this journey posted this morning! I was hoping it would be soon. The story of your journey, with your construction, your farm, and your personal growth are so encouraging. Thank you so much for sharing!
Something to note; for you to be able to spend so much time on this house you have a fantastic wife who was obviously willing to take on a lot of the other tasks around the house. For anyone wanting to take on challenges like this you need to make sure your spouse is not only on board but willing to work just as hard.
Love this video Pete! Love the history. Being in my 30s it shows how Rome was not build in a day and chipping at your dreams is rewarding. Thanks for taking the time!
Sir what you've done is stunning. I'd take your beautiful Farm Home above any of those modern Architecture Homes any day. I love old houses, and always will. There's more individuality in the older construction. Modern is just too cold for me. Congratulations on a job well done.
You sir, are a mans man, not many like you anymore. I dream of doing what you have done and even have plans to build my new home on the 10 acre's I bought and paid for. You inspire me to get busy, thank you sir. God Bless you and your family.
I'm always amazed what bridled insanity can accomplish. Genius. Brute strength, sweat, tears, brain work. and then if you are lucky you can start buying some tools. The good old days.
You know your relatives have to be looking down and are proud of the work you've done, and the love and respect you put into the home. I love older homes better than new.
Absolutely love your videos. You are such an inspiration in everything you do. Love the companion work you and Hilary shows us. Please continue sharing the life on your farm. Love your connection with the animals and the land. You have become my favorite UTube site. God Bless you, Hilary and your family.
You got grit!!! I loved your videos, part 1 and part 2!! Learning by reading, doing it all by hand. Best video I have ever seen. I shared your excitement. WOW..just amazing. Phenomenal 🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤
Oh my goodness! What a beautiful house, barn . I know your Great Great Grandparents would be so PROUD of you. Look what you have done ! Just Beautiful. Love the stories and pictures !
Generally I like my renovation videos to be 'construction footage' heavy, i.e. with lots of video showing the process. Obviously wasn't an option here. But I stayed for both videos because you are such a great storyteller. I also found it fascinating how you found the energy and will to do this while you were in what I can only guess is a very demanding career; especially since that you had to learn a boatload of skills as you progressed. This was a refreshing angle on home renovation.
Ok - I know he really believes that it is not that hard, but that is because I think he has just natural talent/ability/genius for this, to be able to do this so quickly as well. I do think I could do a lot of this with studying and trial and error, but it would take me much longer. WELL DONE.
Those fancy modern architects houses leave me cold, THIS is what a real home should be like. Beautifully done, and the use of the salvaged materials is excellent. My TV wall actually looks a bit like that, but it's just made from stuff that came from Lowes, yours is real. GREAT job!
DANG! This is the second video I’ve watched of yours (the first being the first part of this series) and I am so utterly and completely obsessed with this level of DIY. I currently rent an 100+ year old apartment snd have learned so much by looking at how things were done a long time ago. Absolutely stunning. Definitely going to watch more of your videos, you have great energy and appreciation for what’s around you. 🙌🏻
That was awesome! I grew up in a farm house very much like yours, field stone foundation, balloon framing, nothing straight or level. My house was built in 1920 and feels so "modern" with it's poured concrete basement...
The videos on the house restoration were just amazing. You did the work yourself. You used reclaimed wood from the original structures. You restored the house to its original glory. I am so impressed. Great job; well done.
I grew up in old farm houses with the T configuration. Turn Knob light switches with a single fixture hanging from the center ceiling with the old braded cord and chain. I remember the wide board painted floors upstairs the most. and window open at night as no modern A/C the wide pouches off both sides of the T on both sides, all wood white clapboards gray decks and integer screened doors and the full beveled glass front door. they knew how to use the sun and the wind, high ceilings and wood stoves. what an amazing time when people paid attention to nature and physics . and not collage degraded
Beautiful, I love it, the old style looks so much better then the "modern" stuff, you really are as amazing as your great grandfather who built the house originally. Absolutely beautiful, people do need to invest in the past, history and rebuild things with our hands.
Your a great historian.I love how God guides your simple existence,and how you take care of his creation,including the land and animals.I pray people take your words to heart.God bless you and your family.I learned so much from growing up on my grandparents and aunts and uncles farms.Farming adds so much character to your life.It let's you know what's most important in life.
Its a sad world that we live in these days. Donna, Wayne, and George obviously believe in God and said nothing hateful to anyone. Donna, in her own way complimented Pete's outstanding work and I seriously doubt she offended Pete at all. If he doesn't believe in God and believes instead that we're all here by chance and all that we do is by our own doing then it's his right to do so. He's a gentleman and an all around nice guy and hasn't gone out of his way to tell others how they should think. Kudos to Pete! It's a shame that all of us can't be more like Pete and keep our negative opinions to ourselves and just let others believe what they want. I wish I were more like him myself!
This is truly a labor of love. I also live in my great great grandmother's house. And it has always been a dream of mine to renovate and rebuild the house to make it our forever home. Something that Great great grandmother would be proud of. An Excellent, and Outstanding Job Pete!❤💕👍👍
Great video! I love hearing people talk about their lives, where they came from, and why they are where they are today. And I love hearing about what people find important to them, and what life experiences have shaped them. And as someone who finds a lot of meaning in places and objects, I've absolutely enjoyed watching these two videos about your home. Thank you for being candid and genuine. I do believe that you are my favorite RUclipsr.
You have my profound admiration sir, doing what you did…not many would even consider it. One can just imagine the elation happening in heaven as your great grands watched you doing this amazing labor of love. May God bless you and your beautiful wife and keep you well. Your enthusiasm and love of this place is palpable. Your Dad must have been so very proud of his son. Its great people like you that are the backbone of this country. Sad that some things have changed drastically, some guys now can’t even change a flat tire….My son’s are builders and quite handy, my one daughter is a very smart woman, has raised two wonderful sons, one of which is in the Navy serving the country.
Pete, This series was so delightful. You are such an amazing man, husband and father, as well as a first class storyteller, builder, teacher, farmer, and architect. My thanks to you and your family, for the absolute best you tube channel.
Ellis Kinney I can't believe how much our lives parallel each other. I inherited the family farm Southeast of Cincy after I got out of the Army in 1971. At the time I was living in Louisville, Ky. driving 100 miles and clearing land and reclaiming hay fields. I had a VW and an axe. As time went on I bought tractors (M Farmalls) and built two barns. The farm was a Revolutionary War land grant. All kinds of history just like yours. In 2012 we built our house on the farm. I loved this two part series. Ellis
Your excitement is palpable , you are such a lucky man to have all this family history as well as the history you have made for yourself your progeny . My father was an orphan . I'm quite jelous of your situation. I'm happy for you and wouldn't take any of that from you if I could . I just implore you to hold it all dear to your heart ! I hope you live to be 150 years old in your beautiful family home and that your children do the same ! And that they have that same wonderful excitement that you do when they think and speak of you and the home to their children and their children's children ! God bless you and your beautiful home and all who enter !
Well done, Pete! Yours is a remarkable story which, now that you've documented it, is even more so. Thank you for taking the time to put this and all your videos together They're really life-giving.
Something tells me you've never taken a vacation in 20 years. I think Hillary must have the patience of a saint. Has she gotten her parking spot back in the garage yet?!!!
Love what you did to the house I love learning family histories and really enjoyed your journey. It amazes me how allot of homesteaders and farmers did all the construction on there homes themselves. Looking forward to what you got coming next Pete.
I love everyone but this surpasses them all! I am speechless at how much one man (and woman)can achieve when you are prepared to work hard. Thank you for the excellent example you are to all of us.
You are a builder after my own heart. We bought a home in 1995 that dates back to the 1700’s. I’ve done most of the repairs on my own and had the same tools as you, as well as no internet. ❤️ The love I feel for this home is unparalleled
It brought tears to my eyes by the end of this story. You guys are so creative and I love how you used parts of the old structures in building the add on’s. I would love to sit and hear more of how all of this happened . You two are really special and if there were more like you, in this country, we would be in far better shape.
what a great story, I grew up on my grandpas dairy farm in Montgomery NY but we lost it when he passed. He built everything on his own from scratch and hauled cattle at night i actually found the original drawings he made of the house i hope one day i can build a house and make it look just like his and have a farm to pass down to my kids.
It wonderful to see the start of your family's adventures. It's amazing how ideas seem to bubble up over years. You could have stayed with the "firm" and hired out the work, but you didn't. My dad once told me when I was at a crossroad that life is sometimes like a trapeze act. You have to let go of what you are hanging onto first to grab onto the next. It's the time spent in between that is so scary. I'm glad that you believed enough to let go. Blessings from New Orleans.
Great comment Marshall. Sometimes in life we have confirmation that we are going in the correct direction but then come to a chasm. Just like in one of the "Raiders of the Lost Arc" movie series (the one with the knights) we must step out in faith to get to where we are going. It is an act of faith in the one whom we believe has given us the confirmation.
What a talented guy you are! What you have renovated, built new, or half old and half new, are incredible! It’s a glorious home for you and your family. The sincere desire to honor your ancestors is quite touching, and shows the truly gentle soul you are. Good job!! ♥️❣️🙏🏼❣️♥️
I am so glad I found your videos Pete. Ignore the “know it all’s”. It is a joy to listen to someone the has just committed to a decision and figured it out. Keep up the good work. Your very easy to watch and listen to. Keep on posting and stay safe!
My dad wasn't an architect, but he was a dozer and backhoe operator. He so enjoyed building our family home, one step at a time with his own hands and on a budget. I was a toddler when he started an addition and later an adult when a repair revealed my propensity to hide things in the walls. Imagine how excited he was to find my shoes and toys tucked behind insulation! Thanks so much for sharing your story and home with us.
I cannot understand why Pete hasn't got thousands more subscribers..I watch so many of the youtube videos of many homestead channels,and his has to be up in the top 3,always really informative,fun and ever interesting..God Bless Pete and Hillary and fsmily.
Time my friend. He’s doing very well for only being on RUclips for a year
He’s prob no fan of me, but I have tons of respect for him. RUclips is full of fake guru’s and wanna be’s, but Pete’s the real deal. He’s doing it for real! He does a RUclips channel about his working, thriving farm. He’s not a RUclips channel using farming / ranching as a subject matter.
Plus he’s a Dexter ranch. That’s very near and dear to me, I am 1000% sold on that breed.
I’ve seen so many who don’t know what the heck they are doing, and the welfare of their animals suffered.
All you have to do is share his channel on the channels you watch!
Agree, wonderful man, very creative and hard working, brilliant story teller, excellent channel, God bless Pete and his family.
Because he doesn't have nudity on his channel 😁
You not only inherited the house you inherited the grit and determination.
I've been in construction for more than 50 years and all I can say is WOW! The variety of skills and the perseverance that you demonstrated in all of the buildings that you restored and built are just amazing to me! I noticed you relocated the doorway out of the old basement, and that alone was a lot of work. Then on top of that running a successful farming operation and selling at a farmer's market as well, plus your mechanical skills in rebuilding and painting the MD last winter, you truly are a man of many talents! I grew up on a dairy farm in Pa, and really miss the machinery end of it, but while I like milk and milk products, I have never missed milking the cows. :)
And everyone calls me a workaholic.
Pete makes me look like a beach bum.
@@allenferry1268 Haha! But what’s wrong with being a beach bum?
He is not boring,he is way too interesting to be called boring,to me he is a breath of fresh air after some of the smut and fakery channels. Decency will alway prevail in the long run.
Very nice comments. Neal
This story is far more interesting and enjoyable than anything that was on the tv. My wife even wandered into the room while I was watching it. After standing and listening for a couple of minutes, she sat down and had me replay part one and restart this conclusion to the story. She agreed that it was far more enjoyable than what she had planned to watch on the tv. You now have another fan.👋🇨🇦👍👍👍👍👍
Agreed. Put down the cell phone, unplug the microwave, plant a vegetable garden, chill some milk,
PERCOLATE a pot of coffee, bake some cookies then go sit outside and talk to your neighbors.
You and your family are not only Blessed, you are in fact a Blessing to US !
8-13-21
I'm so glad you ignored the naysayers, and chose to renovate rather than destroy the home your ancestors built. It's a joy to see the beauty and sense of time and place that you've created in preserving the family homestead. Thanks for sharing your journey!
Pete, you really make me admire your way of living and overall just how happy and humble you are. Keep up the great work,
Just want to say thank you! This channel has inspired me so much!! I’m a really girly girl (city girl afraid of power tools lol) but since I started watching this channel I’ve been building stalls in my little barn and replacing rotten boards and repairing the fences by myself with what I’ve got lol. It’s not all perfect and I have RUclips to teach me skills but we raised more livestock this year than our whole 7 years here combined and restored 4 of my 20 acres of overgrown pastures!! Your message of doing things yourself with what you have available has taught me so much and helped me see that I am capable of a lot more “boy jobs” than I thought haha. Thanks so much for your great content!!!
💕🐐🐇🐓🦆💕
I'm a guy but I grew up with a similar mindset. I grew up without a dad with a mom scared of her shadow and anything unknown. As a poor and struggling dad (no money to fix things in and around our very old house, which was all we could afford), I opened up and talked with a man who had grown up with a dad who included him on all projects. He shared about a conversation he had with his father and it changed my life: "Garth, you see how I just ruined $100 worth of stuff? We'll have to go buy $75 worth of stuff over. I know exactly what I need now and how to do it. You know, it would have cost me $300 to pay someone to do this so we still came out about half price and now we both know how to do this." You go girl !!! There is such a kick in figuring out how to fix things and seeing them done. It is worth all of the band-aids and second trips to the hardware store.
cosign
What a fabulous story. Well told. The progress pictures showing your family moving in along the way were awesome. Your attention to detail is superb. Back in the 90s I did the same, and spent 9 years building a home and addition as my family expanded - so I could totally relate.
I just love this home project and the way he is so respectful of his family’s past. The amount of his personal time spent and all the work he did is phenomenal! And what a great example of caring and of productive work for his children! He left them a legacy!
My cousin and his wife bought a piece of property that has a house on it from 1792. Took it apart piece by piece and rebuilt it back to it's old glory, up to code. It's absolutely gorgeous. Repurposed allot of things like you did. You did a great job on this house. Enjoy many more years.
Wow, I really enjoyed this video. My parents are immigrants from Cuba and Mexico, so they didn’t have much to offer to us here other than bringing us to a better place (the best gift ever). So now we are able to build an estate to pass down to our children in this country. Your family may have been dirt poor by the standards back then, but they left something so rich for future generations to build off of. It’s absolutely wonderful how you’ve restored what they left and inspiring how you honored what was already there! Congratulations!
My parents also brought me and my sister from Cuba in 2013.
Your home is beautiful! My husband built our home in 1999. He did the same with reading books on how to do wiring and plumbing. We love our home and are proud of what we accomplished.
What an AMAZING, EXCEPTIONAL, MAN - a stand-out, amongst 4 billion other men! So genuine, polite, patient, humble, intelligent, inquisitive, multi-skilled, brilliant, hard-working, family-focused, etc, etc ….. His family & ancestors so blessed! 🇦🇺🤗
This has been inspirational to me. My family and I bought a 1880 Colonial in Wyoming, NY and it gets to be overwhelming at times the simplistic way of describing working on one wall/side at a time is what I needed to hear. Thank you
Hey Tim. I'm in Pavilion. Good luck with the new adventure. Will you be bringing your reno to RUclips?
Yup! You know how to eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Pete makes all the sense in the world.
For many years, PBS “This Old House” was a favorite program, but I enjoyed this as much or more. Very few people have the opportunity to renovate a family home, and I thank you for sharing the experience. I was exhausted just watching, as your level of energy and ability are inspiring. You’re also an excellent presenter, everything was to the point and there were no wasted words. How astonished and proud would be your ancestors.
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
-Proverbs 24:3-4
My dad was a contractor and passed in 1988, he was known all over for his plaster work and skills, he took great pride in his work, like you do, this was so great to listen to you talk about your life and the skills you have learned. Thank you for this video!
Hope your children pour their hearts into this home the way you obviously have. Thank you.
This is by far the most honest and real life stories and experiences. Thank you Pete.
Here’s a new cow joke for you… What do you call a heifer that just gave birth? Decalfeinated.
😂
I've never 'herd' that joke. OK, that was a lame play on words but truly that is a new one to me. I love it. Ken
This was so incredibly fun to watch and be inspired by. What a blessing to be able to rebuild on your family’s homestead and with your family. Thanks for telling this story.
Sure enjoyed watching this. My Grandpa sold his farm and years later all the farm was torn down . So sad, there is just a corn field replacing my memories now.
I grew on a farm that was built before my state existed, about 120 years old .
My parents sold it as part of their divorce. By 1999 all our buildings, even the new ones had been leveled & a new house where the beloved animals were buried.
I get what you mean. Its sad almost hurts.
My dad and I built 22 houses, before pneumatic tools became the norm. We pretty much built those houses with the same tools you used. By the time I was 14 I could set and sink a 16 penny nail into a wall stud in 2 strokes. Set, Sink that was it. Of coarse I've taken off my thumb nail a few times over the years. Before he started building houses, my dad was a interior boat finisher for a company in Stockton, Ca for 12 yrs, before they stopped building with just wood. He carried that meticulous character into the houses we built. Every cabinet joint had to be seamless, and he had it built into the contract with the supplier. They only tested him once, never again. Anyway I really enjoyed listening to your journey on your families home. My dad's home is in Wilton, New York, and from what I understand and see, it's still standing and occupied by one of his cousins. My great great grandmother bought the 80 acre farm for 3000, and the farm became the families living. Well I'm getting long winded. Have fun on your projects. Mike
Blood, sweat, and tears… I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your hard work and commitment to restoring your family’s history. What a lovely home!!
My husband is a forklift mechanic and has had the same job for 21 years. This year on 5/21/21, he too left his job to start up his own business. Now he has time with his kids, his wife of 26 years and it is awesome to have here more often.
Couldn't have torn me away from your story if it had been a 4 hour long video....
Your work on your place is excellent and shows your workmanship. You're an interesting man, Pete.
Pete is a true renaissance man married to a wonderfully devoted woman. What a life !
This series was very interesting. I really enjoyed watching the process of rehabilitating your family’s home, how you carefully recreated so many features of the original house but also how you made it your own, creating space that would serve your own family’s needs. Great series Pete. Thank you for sharing the details.
I'm glad that you saved the house.
I'm living in a 100 year old house. None of my family lived here, but I love old houses.
You did an amazing job! Your ancestors would be very proud of you for taking such good care of the home & property.
Just watched this. Enjoyed it immensely. I remember in 1970 my stepfather using a hand drill. Looked something like an hand egg beaters. I own a Makita drill and a impact hammer drill. Used the regular drill. Both cordless. By the way. I'm 84 and a woman. Learned a lot from my stepfather and my uncle.
Wow ! What an accomplishment, high determination and skill level. Just awesome !
This guy has found so much peace within himself and happiness, this is how he shares with us his life. Iam truly greatful you can give so much to others, sure does feel good and you can sure tell no matter what you are doing. I look forward to more this is new vlog for me and excited for aure.🤗
You are the most hard working ...dedicated ..talented...wise ..honest...down to earth man ! Thank you for sharing this beautiful story of your home and family.
Stumbled upon this modern day "old timer". Scrolling through you tube... You know, they don't make people like this anymore. People who want to work with their hands, operate a homestead, wake up at sunrise and do a legit honest days work.
Excellent story teller.
I have always wanted to save old houses. Glad you were able to save your GGPs hand crafted home with your wife and live the life of your dreams. 🙌🏻
You kept the integrity and forthright of the original home and I find this very special.
Houses are alive. Wood is alive. Stones. Foundations. All alive.
Not too many people get to follow their bliss. #inspired
Very much enjoyed your story! I love that your father and uncles could be a part of the rebuild. :)
Great Video. My house I bought in 2019 was built in 1880. I only held it for two years and sold it, but I regret doing that. In the next buyers market (God willing) I will get back out into the country. I had an old Amish barn (1960's) and the previous owner put up a 75x40 regular pole barn. My neighbor and I found out about a church in Bowling Green, Ohio that was selling a 1960 Ford 200 model tractor with a mower rig on it. We bought it, took it to my pole barn and we pressure washed it, put in a better ignition and we were so proud about 7 months later when someone bought it for 2500.00. We put in about 300 bucks for a battery and that ignition. All it really needed was repainting. IF I would get back out to the country, I would get another one with a better shift pattern. Man that old Ford was hard to figure out. LOL. What a great family you have. The best part is when you finish and you invite them over for steak or a really great dinner or family function. My dad was a bricklayer but was way past production when diabetes brought on a lot of complications. Your house looks really great. Loved both video's. What a great job.
Pete I have really enjoyed your history of your home and its renovation. Keep up the good work.
Well, Pete, I’ve watched both parts of your family’s truly incredible story and journey, and after these few words I’ve just typed, simply cannot find any more….. I’m now speechless.
Pete, hi from the UK. You are an inspiration, truly the coolest dude in the world!!! Love your videos and i admire all you do!
We have the early 1900-1920 Alaska Mining Camp style of architectural going on at our place with a Salt Box influence. A lot less fancy but incredibly functional and efficient as well as being super fast and less expensive. Love early American architecture. 👍🏻
So talented..you and your family deserve all of the fruits of your labour..👏👏
I watched the whole videos how amazing this man is. The house to the garage to the addition was done so well. This man was a go getter and enjoyed wat he did he did an amazing job on it all. He should get a award his work for sure. Very good work.
Pete, this is the only channel I watch where a 26 minute video can fly. Other channels in the past I have found myself hovering over the video to see how long is left but these 2 part videos were a delight to watch.
I guess I just love family history and to see it being cared for and protected and not just thrown out with old is a credit to yourself.
I love old stories like this. You share memories everyday just by walking your house and yard with people you never knew. Great Great Great ancestors!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
One of my favorite RUclipsr retired and I was sad til I found you Pete. Love your love of history. Your house is alot like the house I grew up in 87 yrs ago so your story made me a bit homesick. I’m definitely a follower now!
Than you for sharing your wonderful story. Many people, including myself are getting blessed watching your story.
I have so much respect and appreciation for what you have done to make this world a beautiful place. We are just custodians of this beautiful world and of what our ancestors left behind. I believe they did things more with love, just as you did, because when we touch and feel and see what we do, we bring aliveness, depth and an unexplainable connection to it. I am sure, each inch of your home has that feeling somewhere, in the air. Such a beautiful narration and you are a great builder and a much greater story teller 🧡
I completely rebuilt my home from 1997 to 2011. Like yours, very little of the original is left, and there is a whole lot more of it. I did find artifacts. Every third bay of the framing had a Miller bottle. They framed the house drunk. I have designed and built my entire life. The best thing I learned was to be acutely aware and listen to the rhythms. Additions tell you where they need to be, stones tell you their place in a wall, a space tells you when it it is in balance. I built high end modern in my youth. The older I got, the more I relied on traditional architecture for real expression.
I was so excited to see the rest of this journey posted this morning! I was hoping it would be soon. The story of your journey, with your construction, your farm, and your personal growth are so encouraging. Thank you so much for sharing!
Something to note; for you to be able to spend so much time on this house you have a fantastic wife who was obviously willing to take on a lot of the other tasks around the house. For anyone wanting to take on challenges like this you need to make sure your spouse is not only on board but willing to work just as hard.
Love this video Pete! Love the history. Being in my 30s it shows how Rome was not build in a day and chipping at your dreams is rewarding. Thanks for taking the time!
I truly loved this 2-part series. Thank You!
Sir what you've done is stunning. I'd take your beautiful Farm Home above any of those modern Architecture Homes any day. I love old houses, and always will. There's more individuality in the older construction. Modern is just too cold for me.
Congratulations on a job well done.
You sir, are a mans man, not many like you anymore. I dream of doing what you have done and even have plans to build my new home on the 10 acre's I bought and paid for. You inspire me to get busy, thank you sir. God Bless you and your family.
Can't understate how much I (we!) appreciate the time and effort you put into sharing your life experience with us Pete, you are an inspiration.
Holy Cow Patty! Those shutters! That gorgeous house. Wow! What a labor of love!
I'm always amazed what bridled insanity can accomplish. Genius. Brute strength, sweat, tears, brain work. and then if you are lucky you can start buying some tools. The good old days.
I've got to tell you how much I enjoy your videos, and as a 53 year old carpenter, I respect you. That's one heck of a good job
You know your relatives have to be looking down and are proud of the work you've done, and the love and respect you put into the home. I love older homes better than new.
Your Great great grandparents would be so proud. You have their grit.
The way you recognize, respect, and apply the concept of maintaining “a sense of place” in your home - is a beautiful thing.
Absolutely love your videos. You are such an inspiration in everything you do. Love the companion work you and Hilary shows us. Please continue sharing the life on your farm. Love your connection with the animals and the land. You have become my favorite UTube site. God Bless you, Hilary and your family.
I like how you blended the stairway with the stone foundation. Also that curve in the stairs.
You got grit!!! I loved your videos, part 1 and part 2!!
Learning by reading, doing it all by hand. Best video I have ever seen. I shared your excitement. WOW..just amazing. Phenomenal 🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤
Oh my goodness! What a beautiful house, barn . I know your Great Great Grandparents would be so PROUD of you. Look what you have done ! Just Beautiful. Love the stories and pictures !
Generally I like my renovation videos to be 'construction footage' heavy, i.e. with lots of video showing the process. Obviously wasn't an option here. But I stayed for both videos because you are such a great storyteller. I also found it fascinating how you found the energy and will to do this while you were in what I can only guess is a very demanding career; especially since that you had to learn a boatload of skills as you progressed. This was a refreshing angle on home renovation.
What a journey of learning and doing. I'm in awe! Admirable how you honored and reused the old structure materials.
Ok - I know he really believes that it is not that hard, but that is because I think he has just natural talent/ability/genius for this, to be able to do this so quickly as well. I do think I could do a lot of this with studying and trial and error, but it would take me much longer. WELL DONE.
Those fancy modern architects houses leave me cold, THIS is what a real home should be like. Beautifully done, and the use of the salvaged materials is excellent. My TV wall actually looks a bit like that, but it's just made from stuff that came from Lowes, yours is real. GREAT job!
LOVE THE NEW ADDITION,LOVE YOUR KITCHEN TO, TO USE ALL THE OLD OLD WOOD FROM TIME OF COLUMBUS IS AMAZING, THANK YOU FOR SHARING , THUMBS UP
DANG! This is the second video I’ve watched of yours (the first being the first part of this series) and I am so utterly and completely obsessed with this level of DIY. I currently rent an 100+ year old apartment snd have learned so much by looking at how things were done a long time ago. Absolutely stunning. Definitely going to watch more of your videos, you have great energy and appreciation for what’s around you. 🙌🏻
Grand ma would be proud of you ....
That was awesome! I grew up in a farm house very much like yours, field stone foundation, balloon framing, nothing straight or level. My house was built in 1920 and feels so "modern" with it's poured concrete basement...
Oh fancy. Mine has dirt basement
The videos on the house restoration were just amazing. You did the work yourself. You used reclaimed wood from the original structures. You restored the house to its original glory. I am so impressed. Great job; well done.
I grew up in old farm houses with the T configuration. Turn Knob light switches with a single fixture hanging from the center ceiling with the old braded cord and chain. I remember the wide board painted floors upstairs the most. and window open at night as no modern A/C the wide pouches off both sides of the T on both sides, all wood white clapboards gray decks and integer screened doors and the full beveled glass front door. they knew how to use the sun and the wind, high ceilings and wood stoves. what an amazing time when people paid attention to nature and physics . and not collage degraded
Beautiful, I love it, the old style looks so much better then the "modern" stuff, you really are as amazing as your great grandfather who built the house originally. Absolutely beautiful, people do need to invest in the past, history and rebuild things with our hands.
I can amagine how proud your father and uncles must be that you resurrected the old family home.
Absolutely fascinating story Pete - good on ya' for tackling this project...and by yourself at that! Hillary and the car - too funny.
You and Hillary and wonderful children are a real tribute to American history. So proud of all of y’all.
Your a great historian.I love how God guides your simple existence,and how you take care of his creation,including the land and animals.I pray people take your words to heart.God bless you and your family.I learned so much from growing up on my grandparents and aunts and uncles farms.Farming adds so much character to your life.It let's you know what's most important in life.
@@brez85 It's easy to assume for without God we wouldn't exist.
@brez85 shoehorn God? The creator of all that is doesn’t need to be “shoehorn into anything. He is already there!
Its a sad world that we live in these days.
Donna, Wayne, and George obviously believe in God and said nothing hateful to anyone. Donna, in her own way complimented Pete's outstanding work and I seriously doubt she offended Pete at all. If he doesn't believe in God and believes instead that we're all here by chance and all that we do is by our own doing then it's his right to do so. He's a gentleman and an all around nice guy and hasn't gone out of his way to tell others how they should think. Kudos to Pete!
It's a shame that all of us can't be more like Pete and keep our negative opinions to ourselves and just let others believe what they want. I wish I were more like him myself!
This is truly a labor of love. I also live in my great great grandmother's house. And it has always been a dream of mine to renovate and rebuild the house to make it our forever home. Something that Great great grandmother would be proud of. An Excellent, and Outstanding Job Pete!❤💕👍👍
Great video! I love hearing people talk about their lives, where they came from, and why they are where they are today. And I love hearing about what people find important to them, and what life experiences have shaped them. And as someone who finds a lot of meaning in places and objects, I've absolutely enjoyed watching these two videos about your home. Thank you for being candid and genuine. I do believe that you are my favorite RUclipsr.
You have my profound admiration sir, doing what you did…not many would even consider it. One can just imagine the elation happening in heaven as your great grands watched you doing this amazing labor of love. May God bless you and your beautiful wife and keep you well. Your enthusiasm and love of this place is palpable. Your Dad must have been so very proud of his son. Its great people like you that are the backbone of this country. Sad that some things have changed drastically, some guys now can’t even change a flat tire….My son’s are builders and quite handy, my one daughter is a very smart woman, has raised two wonderful sons, one of which is in the Navy serving the country.
Pete, This series was so delightful. You are such an amazing man, husband and father, as well as a first class storyteller, builder, teacher, farmer, and architect. My thanks to you and your family, for the absolute best you tube channel.
Ellis Kinney
I can't believe how much our lives parallel each other. I inherited the family farm Southeast of Cincy after I got out of the Army in 1971. At the time I was living in Louisville, Ky. driving 100 miles and clearing land and reclaiming hay fields. I had a VW and an axe. As time went on I bought tractors (M Farmalls) and built two barns. The farm was a Revolutionary War land grant. All kinds of history just like yours. In 2012 we built our house on the farm. I loved this two part series. Ellis
Pete, you are an amazing man. You would make a very good motivational speaker.
Your excitement is palpable , you are such a lucky man to have all this family history as well as the history you have made for yourself your progeny . My father was an orphan . I'm quite jelous of your situation. I'm happy for you and wouldn't take any of that from you if I could . I just implore you to hold it all dear to your heart ! I hope you live to be 150 years old in your beautiful family home and that your children do the same ! And that they have that same wonderful excitement that you do when they think and speak of you and the home to their children and their children's children ! God bless you and your beautiful home and all who enter !
Well done, Pete! Yours is a remarkable story which, now that you've documented it, is even more so. Thank you for taking the time to put this and all your videos together They're really life-giving.
Something tells me you've never taken a vacation in 20 years. I think Hillary must have the patience of a saint. Has she gotten her parking spot back in the garage yet?!!!
There’s a lot worse hobbies for a man to have though…🙂
Love what you did to the house I love learning family histories and really enjoyed your journey. It amazes me how allot of homesteaders and farmers did all the construction on there homes themselves. Looking forward to what you got coming next Pete.
Extremely interesting history very well told I can rarely sit trough so much verbiage but I really enjoyed this. I’ve had a similar midlife to you
I love everyone but this surpasses them all! I am speechless at how much one man (and woman)can achieve when you are prepared to work hard. Thank you for the excellent example you are to all of us.
You are a builder after my own heart. We bought a home in 1995 that dates back to the 1700’s. I’ve done most of the repairs on my own and had the same tools as you, as well as no internet. ❤️ The love I feel for this home is unparalleled
It brought tears to my eyes by the end of this story. You guys are so creative and I love how you used parts of the old structures in building the add on’s. I would love to sit and hear more of how all of this happened . You two are really special and if there were more like you, in this country, we would be in far better shape.
what a great story, I grew up on my grandpas dairy farm in Montgomery NY but we lost it when he passed. He built everything on his own from scratch and hauled cattle at night i actually found the original drawings he made of the house i hope one day i can build a house and make it look just like his and have a farm to pass down to my kids.
I'm sure, renovating, and rebuilding it's a really hard work but it gives a good visible result also you are great storyteller.
This is a down to EARTH episode of Ms Hillary and Mr Pete in doing a rebuild of the Old Home stead and keeping it close to being the original.
It wonderful to see the start of your family's adventures. It's amazing how ideas seem to bubble up over years. You could have stayed with the "firm" and hired out the work, but you didn't. My dad once told me when I was at a crossroad that life is sometimes like a trapeze act. You have to let go of what you are hanging onto first to grab onto the next. It's the time spent in between that is so scary. I'm glad that you believed enough to let go. Blessings from New Orleans.
Great comment Marshall. Sometimes in life we have confirmation that we are going in the correct direction but then come to a chasm. Just like in one of the "Raiders of the Lost Arc" movie series (the one with the knights) we must step out in faith to get to where we are going. It is an act of faith in the one whom we believe has given us the confirmation.
What a talented guy you are! What you have renovated, built new, or half old and half new, are incredible! It’s a glorious home for you and your family. The sincere desire to honor your ancestors is quite touching, and shows the truly gentle soul you are. Good job!! ♥️❣️🙏🏼❣️♥️
I am so glad I found your videos Pete. Ignore the “know it all’s”. It is a joy to listen to someone the has just committed to a decision and figured it out. Keep up the good work. Your very easy to watch and listen to. Keep on posting and stay safe!
My dad wasn't an architect, but he was a dozer and backhoe operator. He so enjoyed building our family home, one step at a time with his own hands and on a budget. I was a toddler when he started an addition and later an adult when a repair revealed my propensity to hide things in the walls. Imagine how excited he was to find my shoes and toys tucked behind insulation! Thanks so much for sharing your story and home with us.