B. Burlacz - 11/14/00 15:40:42
My Email:old_house@ameritech.net
city/state: Western Springs, IL
year of house: 1908

Comments:
I am a house history writer and public speaker. I research and write about older homes for homeowners who are curious about the age of their home, what families have lived in it, where to find old photos, etc. I also nominate homes for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. I do programs related to vintage homes at local libraries and historical societies. I like your website and I recommend it to my audiences. Keep up the good work (or keep fighting the good fight, or whatever).

Doug Williams - 10/29/00 13:14:22
My Email:dwilliams7@stny.rr.com
city/state: Owego, NY
year of house: 1905
How did you hear of this site?: Victorian Interiors

Comments:
Hi! I'm a restoration contractor just checking out your site.

Diana Cumbo - 10/17/00 17:41:07
My Email:diana_cumbo@hotmail.com
city/state: Bristol,Tennessee
year of house: 1903
How did you hear of this site?: Mystery house

Comments:
Hi Ken love your site. Attempting to restore 1903 Queen Anne, it has 4360 square feet 6 beautiful tiger oak firplaces a beautiful staircase.Like your we had a 1942 coal converted to gas furnace gravity fed radiators, which for finacial reasons had to be r placed it was like 20% effective not only where we freezing but, it was very expensive.I love my house...I can understand your feelings,I love the feeling of wonder at how many children have skipped across the hardwood floors..You can almost hear them..ru ning up and down the steps...I guess you have live in one before you really understand..its such a tie to the past..Diana

Randy LaCoille - 10/14/00 00:44:15
My Email:srl01@snet.net
city/state: Putnam, CT
year of house: 1875
How did you hear of this site?: your comments

Comments:
Hi. Thank you for your input on my house (mystery house #34..."Mansard Mansion")from the archetecture site. I would love to paint all the window sahes if budget permits it. All 48 windows had just been replaced with "tilt-in" models just before we boug t the house and I realize that they don't at all look "period". Any comments on weather the trim color should be darker or lighter than the body color? I have drawn my house using a "paint/draw" program to test different color schemes and just can't dec de. Thanks again for your input. Randy

Cate and Ken - 09/22/00 14:20:16
city/state: Guthrie, OK
year of house: 1910-1930?
How did you hear of this site?: surfing

Comments:
We have a Folk Victorian (we think!) in the historical town of Guthrie, America, which is full of wonderful Victorian architecture. We're in the process of patching plaster, repainting the outside, fixing screens, etc., etc., etc! I found your site surfi g for info on how to repair our wood sash windows and have found your suggestions to be great! The windows are responding well to my treatments and hopefully will be just like new when I'm finished! Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions and for helpi g keep the enthusiasm going! Anyone out there who loves Victorian architecture, please come to Guthrie, OK...you'll love it!

Bill Rhodes - 08/28/00 20:44:37
My Email:brhodes@btmna.com
city/state: Darien/CT
year of house: 1870
How did you hear of this site?: Accident

Comments:
Porch and shutter comments very helpful.

jill - 08/22/00 15:46:16
My Email:jill222@gte.net
city/state: fayetteville, arkansas
year of house: 1939
How did you hear of this site?: Weekly newsletter from the architecture pages at about.com

Comments:


Laurie Lehman-Welter - 08/22/00 15:27:30
My Email:clwelter@tds.net
city/state: Troy, Idaho
year of house: 1900
How did you hear of this site?: Old House Interiors

Comments:


Alice Glock - 08/14/00 16:36:50
My Email:aglock@drew.edu
city/state: Madison, NJ
year of house: 1952
How did you hear of this site?: thru Pat Peek/Drew

Comments:
See e-mail!

Doug Still - 07/19/00 13:00:42
My URL:http://www.angelfire.com/il3/lombard
My Email:lombard_bungalows@angelfire.com
city/state: Lombard, IL
year of house: 1929
How did you hear of this site?: can't remember

Comments:
Every day small, classic homes are being torn down to make way for monsterous mansion-sized homes with little to no character and too big for the lot they are being built upon. My site is dedicated to preservation of "smaller" old homes in the Western sub rbs of Chicago, IL. The site is intednded to make an awareness to the importance of preserving the homes that makes our communities so special. Owners may send us a picture of their home and a note to the history of the house. If you would like to lin from our site please e-mail me your wishes, we would love to have yours there!

Ann Jackson - 06/19/00 21:12:25
My Email:jackson@oregonhospice.org
city/state: Portland, Oregon
year of house: 1923 and 1943
How did you hear of this site?: OHJ

Comments:
Have just spent a terrific couple of hours wandering through your site and your links. Thanks. I am the second owner of Roscoe Hemenway's first house, an architect of note in Oregon, which he designed for his sister. It's still in its original condition! nd my daughter bought a 1943 house today, that has never been muddled....

Gary Schotland - 06/16/00 05:02:25
My Email:gary@schotland.com
city/state: Flemington, NJ
year of house: 1780 & 1834
How did you hear of this site?: OHJ website

Comments:
Loads of excellent advice! If only more overzealous renovators could read it before another beautiful old house is bastardized.

conway henderson - 06/09/00 18:58:36
My Email:jim.or.connie.henderson@worldnet.att.net
city/state: Carrollton, VA
year of house: don't know exactly--built in several stages
How did you hear of this site?: Old House Interiors

Comments:
Good information and links.

Kathleen Morgain - 06/07/00 21:13:03
My Email:kmorgain@usa.net
city/state: WA
year of house: 1893
How did you hear of this site?: surfing

Comments:
Thanks for the paint removal tips. I have successfully removed layers of paint from a brick fireplace in a 20's house, but our latest old house has many 10 inch baseboards with layers that I know I must remove but am a little afraid of scorching with the heat gun. I have considered removing the baseboards first, but notice that you did not in your photos. No way to get it done but to start. After all, it only took you three years (grin). Thanks again for the tips. Sites like yours give the rest of us that extra boost to keep the project fun. -kathleen

ecjenrette - 06/02/00 22:28:26
My Email:ecjenrette@hotmail.com
city/state: chas.,sc
year of house: 1832
How did you hear of this site?: magazine.

Comments:
also own an early 1800 house in West Virginia

Charles Moore - 05/27/00 20:06:11
My Email:camoore@csus.edu
city/state: Sacramento, CA 95819
year of house: 1913
How did you hear of this site?: Old House Interiors

Comments:
Our neighborhood association is putting together a "seminar" on the restoration of period style houses in East Sacramento. I am hopping that your web site will be of use to us. Thank you, Charles Moore

Ken Bloom - 05/27/00 18:40:13
My Email:kenco66@aol.com
city/state: Old Bridge, NJ
year of house: 1960
How did you hear of this site?: From Kenny

Comments:
I've been friends with Kenny since before he restored his house and it is absolutely incredible as to what he has achieved. Kenny lives for the restoration of houses and the protection of historical buildings in towns all over NJ. All people in need of re toration knowledge should thank Kenny. Great website Choiska.

Dawn - 05/17/00 21:38:02
My Email:catslinkycat@home.com
city/state: Carteret, NJ
year of house: 1944
How did you hear of this site?: old house interiors

Comments:
Ken has been most helpful and very quick to respond to my email. Thank you very much.

Alicia Murray - 05/15/00 01:13:16
My Email:alicia.murray@home.com
city/state: Little Silver, NJ
year of house: 1870-ish
How did you hear of this site?: The Hub

Comments:
Great web site! I would love to see info on chimneys and fireplaces in the future.

Georgia Mohr - 05/12/00 02:38:00
city/state: Erie, PA
year of house: 1928
How did you hear of this site?: Old House Interiors

Comments:
I live in a 1928 brick colonial revival home. I stongly support your views in regards to windows, shutters and railings. Each of these areas we have had to deal with. Thanks, Georgia

Lisa Foss - 05/10/00 15:30:46
My Email:lisaafoss@aol.com
city/state: Grand Forks, ND
year of house: 1897
How did you hear of this site?: Historic Preservation

Comments:
This is a great start to a wonderful site. My house was built as a Gothic Revival, but in the 1930s it was transformed into a duplex. At this time all the original woodwork was replaced with ranch casing, the 3" maple floors were replaced with 5/4 maple t at is 3/8" thick, so now it has the appearance of a 5 ton truck having run over it. The outside, well, the front bay was removed, and asbestos siding installed, at which time they cut off the ends of the window trim rather than take the time to trim the iding correctly. It's a mess. So any helpful sites (I've found yours the most so) are greatly appreciated. Thanks, and keep up the good work! Keep adding!

wendy & dave tooker - 04/21/00 00:27:00
My Email:wentooker@aol.com
city/state: red bank nj
year of house: 1810
How did you hear of this site?: hub

Comments:
great site! as recent owners of an older home--found your site very informative. we now spends lots of time looking at shutters and porch railings. the shutters on our home are correct--no railings to worry about. thanks wendy and dave

Pamela Romanek - 04/17/00 19:53:05
city/state: Whitehouse Station, NJ

Comments:
Kenny, GREAT Web Site!!!!! A lot of great info and I really loved the before and after pictures. Pammy

Debbie A. - 04/16/00 01:12:12
My Email:DJAniano@aol.com
city/state: Allentown, NJ
year of house: 1830/1860
How did you hear of this site?: Examiner (local paper)

Comments:
Thanks for your site -- great pictures, and great info. I'll look for your house next time we're in Freehold. Eventually we'll be taking off the 1960s siding. When we see what's underneath, we'll decide what to do next. Know anyone locally who does insulation? What do you recommend on insulation? What do you think of the foam in stuff you see on This Old House?

Bruce Joseph - 04/14/00 13:58:35
My Email:bej@azstarnet.com
city/state: Tucson/AZ
year of house: 1967
How did you hear of this site?: friend runs it

Comments:
I've been in Ken's home while it has been in states of its remodelling. What he has done there is amazing!!!

Penny Barry - 04/13/00 16:25:45
My Email:pbarry@socket.net
city/state: Boonville, MO
year of house: 1898 or 99?
How did you hear of this site?: oldhousejournal chat

Comments:
I need all the help I can get to work in my beautiful house. Fortunately it's in relatively good shape and very sound. Mostly cosmetic stuff I need to do. I will certainly appreciate anything I can learn.

Paula Sorg - 03/31/00 18:19:59
My Email:psorg@ihhcpar39.rutgers.edu
city/state: South River, NJ
year of house: 1930's ?
How did you hear of this site?: Sentinel

Comments:
Ken: I try you email questions but it would not linke up. We know each other and I live a couple of blocks from your parents. Your pictures are great. I have been stripping my woodwork for years know and it never seems to end. I have been afraid to tackle the stair rail because it is quite detailed. Almost exactly like yours. I have tried the heat gun but I thought peel awa worked better and faster, but I see from your site that the heat gun should be done first. I have the same furnace that you have converted from coal to oil. The previous owner even left us coal in the basement when we brought the house. Where did you go to make it efficient. Ours is not and professionals want us to replace with new furnace.< r>
Mike Blazina - 03/23/00 23:57:52
My Email:mblazina@xdconsulting.com
city/state: San Diego, CA
year of house: 1922
How did you hear of this site?: Reading posts at Old House Journal

Comments:
A very interesting site! Glad to see someone who cares as much as I do about visual mass and proportion, and the beauty they bring to experiencing older architecture. I am just beginning (as of a year ago) to restore a classic California bungalow with i s architectural integrity almost completely intact, just neglected. Many years of "fun" projects ahead, but it's definitely worth it! Thanks again for your site, I have a feeling I'll be dropping by often. Mike

Lakeesha Washington - 03/20/00 19:12:25
My Email:kd3@bellatlantic.net
How did you hear of this site?: Site owner in my class

Comments:
This is a very cool site!!! Congradulations!

Sue George - 03/06/00 22:58:18
My Email:sgeorge@tmlp.com
city/state: Taunton, MA
year of house: 1777
How did you hear of this site?: Note posted on Old-House Journal room in response to my question about whether or not removing the wall between my dining and living rooms would totally destroy the integrity of my house. The writer pointed me in yo r direction.

Comments:
The guilt for even thinking about it has already set in. I want to open up the room for more entertainment-friendly space. I am also looking for any and all resources for period colors, furniture, window treatments, etc. It's my first time on this site I have a feeling it won't be my last.

Laura Kiel Tarbous - 02/29/00 15:02:32
My Email:lkt@nbts.edu
city/state: Piscataway, NJ
year of house: 1917
How did you hear of this site?: Old House Journal site

Comments:
Very inspiring. As a single mom trying to work on a house in much need, I only wish I could find help who see things the way you do. I'm constantly being told to put on siding, replace all those old windows--framing them out into smaller windows (who ne ds windows that big anyway!) It's very depressing to always have to disagree with what these contractors want to do. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed I just want to walk away from it all.

Mark Rose - 02/23/00 15:41:55
My Email:Mark_Rose@lotus.com
city/state: South Coventry, PA
year of house: 1713, 1820, 1840
How did you hear of this site?: OHJ

Comments:


Doug - 01/30/00 22:51:48
My Email:dharris@vcu.org
city/state: Richmond, VA
year of house: 1938
How did you hear of this site?: On Old House Journal website

Comments:
Very informative and useful. My biggest issue right now is my windows. After investing much time and money into removing lead paint, "spot-reglazing," priming and painting my 15 windows, I'm at the point of considering replacements. Sorry, but it's tru . I'm not made of money or energy, and they're truly a mess. I will look for true divided lights, but I'm very discouraged by this prospect. I don't know of anyone here in Richmond with the craftsman-like knowledge of how to repair my windows, and I'm oubtful it could be done economically. Your site looks like it would be a trule beacon for preservationists. I applaud your dedication. Thanks for the information.

Bob - 01/29/00 09:28:08
My Email:rhpittman@yahoo.com
city/state: Dallas, Texas
year of house: 1960 but have restored a 1900 cottage and 1930s cape cod, too
How did you hear of this site?: OHJ talk pages

Comments:
Hey, you're even more zealous than I am about terrible things people do to old houses! I like your approach and am glad that I'm not the only one who respects building traditions. We're few and far between today, sad to say! I see you're a George Grotz an too. Have you read his earlier books? They're really a hoot -- you'd enjoy them. Keep on keeping on! Bob Pittman

Brian and Kim Jones - 12/11/99 13:44:29
My Email:beagledogz@go-concepts.com
city/state: Lebanon, OH
year of house: 1850
How did you hear of this site?: Old House Journal/Pictures of our Houses

Comments:
You've done an incredible job. We're in the middle of stripping woodwork.(I spent 5 days on on one kitchen window. We have all the wallpaper down and the floors are refinished. Wow, is this alot of work! Thanks for the hints. Your place looks great. How was Cancun? We need a vacation... Kim

Mary Ann - 11/01/99 18:47:33
My URL:http://www.ieee.org/history_center
My Email:m.hoffman@ieee.org
city/state: South River, NJ
year of house: ~1914
How did you hear of this site?: You gave me the URL, silly man!

Comments:
Kenny: Great site!!!! I know that I will be learning alot from your site.

Jeff Pilz - 10/11/99 18:36:03
My Email:Pilz-Family@msn.com
city/state: Harvard, Illinois
year of house: 1910
How did you hear of this site?: Linked

Comments:
Good info, I'm just starting to strip my doors. Hope this works.

Laura Munoz - 09/18/99 05:25:31
My Email:lemaustin@aol.com
city/state: Austin, Texas
year of house: 1902
How did you hear of this site?: OHJ Talk

Comments:
I love your house and the info. you provide. Further, I am anal-retentive about keeping my house as original as possible, but it is HARD. e.g.--I take my original lamp fixtures to be restored, and the the lamp shop takes the copper off down to the brass nderneath, destroying the original tiger-striped finish. ( I thought they would shine it up.) The contractor pretends to have knowledge of old house restoration, and once hired, recommends reconfiguring the stairs and the shape of the roof, covering the wooden flooring with carpet, and replacing all of the original windows. I now question everything anyone tells me. Keep dishing out the good knowledge though, I'm taking notes.

Clare Abeln - 09/07/99 14:23:50
My Email:cabeln@batterymarch.com
city/state: Boston, MA
year of house: 1920
How did you hear of this site?: Old House Journal

Comments:
Thanks for such an informative site! Do you have an email address where I can send you a question? I'm afraid my question will take up to much room here. Again, thanks for all the information you've given me!

Tim and Jane - 08/19/99 16:50:56
My Email:leahyt@radiks.net
city/state: Omaha
year of house: 1910
How did you hear of this site?: OldHouseJournal.Com

Comments:


Jan - 08/04/99 01:46:59
My Email:Sunmoon298@aol.com
city/state: Tennessee
year of house: 1850's

Comments:
I love your philosophy and your work shows you live it. Old houses have a voice and are well worth listening to. The efforts you put into your home look fantastic. I surfed in off Old House Journal and appreciate your work.

Rose - 07/31/99 03:13:06
My Email:rosethorn@piasanet.com
city/state: Midwest
year of house: 1904

Comments:
Ken: Great site, lots of good information. It's nice to meet another old house purist! :) That tidbit - that the FTC has asked siding manufacturer(s) to stop their claims that vinyl/al siding insulates against heat loss - was great. What's the original source of that info? Our simple old 1904-built home has had a hard, hard life. We just finished building (from scratch) porch columns, to replace the 4x4 (eeh gads) posts that held up the front porch roof. We have a picture of the house from 1906 and have used that as a guide in our rehabbing efforts. We also [re]installed the original wooden shutters which we found in the attic. They look dazzling. 100% amazing what a difference those shutters make. We removed vinyl shutters (too long) from the windows and THREW THEM IN THE TRASH. They were 12" wide a d installed on windows that were up to 44" wide. Looked ridiculous. Great site you have here. Rose

Frank Masterson - 07/30/99 18:01:42
My Email:Frank_Masterson@staffingpower.com
city/state: Naples, FL
year of house: 1902

Comments:
I agree with you about preserving old houses - nothing like the way the old timers built the houses. However, you don't mention much about gingerbread design or old hardware. You know, you can find a lot of old hardware in housing junkyards and stockyar s. Down here in Florida, you can get old doors (with the old hardware on them), old windows, shutters, fixtures, etc. I rebuilt my house using a lot of this stuff left for junk. One thing I disagree with on your page is changing stairs around. My old house has a stairway that was not calculated correctly and was down-right dangerous. I took the damn thing apart and rebuilt, after cutting the original steps and risers down a bit I did a first class job and it looks great and is much more safe. I think sometimes you need to do a little re-arranging. Also, if a house is to far gone, and needs new siding - because the old siding was not maintained, I would allow a good grade viny siding. Although my wood siding is still good, I had an old slate roof that was leaking and slates were falling off. Down here in Florida, not many people know how to install slate roofs. I found a contractor who was able to put on a new roof made out of asphalt shingles that actually look like slate. It made the house look much better! Thank you for keeping the old houses alive!

Natalie McPoland - 07/27/99 21:11:44
My Email:natalie.mcpoland@edwards.boc.com
city/state: Madison, NJ
year of house: 1930

Comments:
I love your project!!! I've had my house for two years and I've been laboring to strip the layers and layers of paint off of the chestnut trim and restore it to it's natural state. I KNOW how much work goes into it, and it looks incredible! Bravo!

Ray Barker - 07/27/99 15:05:20
My Email:rbarker@conknet.com
city/state: Hillsboro,NH
year of house: 1892

Comments:
Nice site, will come back again to get deeper into it.

Tony Ciulla - 07/21/99 16:56:58
My Email:Fireboy79@hotmail.com
city/state: South River, NJ
year of house: 1964

Comments:
Nice sight, good information

Jayne Carr - 07/14/99 19:00:59
My URL:www.freeholdcenter.com
My Email:freeholdcenter@iop.com
city/state: freeehold, nj
year of house: old

Comments:
Good info!

ken - 06/29/99 12:18:32

Comments: