Preservation Episodes

In this Memorial Day episode, Stacy wraps up Preservation Month with listener follow-ups, one final round of State of Restoration conversations from Pine Mountain, and a practical look into the complicated realities behind rehabbing historic commercial buildings. After touring a long-empty downtown building, Stacy started asking a much bigger question: What does it realistically take to save a building like that and turn it into a financially viable project? The answer involves far more than ...

In this episode, Preservation Month continues with another State of Restoration check-in and a look at one of the most overlooked forms of historic preservation: historic cemetery and headstone care. First, Stacy checks back in with the State of Restoration project, where one theme starting to emerge is that preservation often follows money. Then, she is joined by Justin Frost from Past Preservation to talk about historic cemetery preservation, headstone cleaning, and headstone repair. The...

In this week's episode, Stacy kicks off Historic Preservation Month by revisiting the State of Restoration voicemail project, sharing updates from Utah and the Pacific Northwest. Then, she chats with Emma Shay about her 1924 Craftsman bungalow. They get into how Emma's first house, what she calls an “old house on easy mode," sparked a love and respect for old houses. That experience now shapes the thoughtful decisions she’s making to preserve charm and character without overcomplicating the p...

This week’s field trip episode started with a question Stacy couldn’t shake: Why is there a beautiful historic hotel in the middle of nowhere, Idaho? The Sun Valley Lodge isn't just any hotel. It's a grand, carefully designed resort surrounded by mountains and ranchland. When Stacy realized Gilbert Stanley Underwood, the architect behind many of the lodges in the National Parks, was involved, it explained the design—but not the decision to build it there. So Stacy sat down in person with h...

In this episode, Stacy explores the deal-breakers that shape how people approach buying an old house and how those decisions shift depending on life stage. She also chats with Michelle Bowers of Old House Life, who has watched that play out in real time.

In this episode, Stacy looks at why some of the most iconic Gilded Age mansions in Newport were nearly lost, and how that story connects to what’s happening right now with lead safety laws and historic windows in Rhode Island. If you think that is just a local issue, think again. Stacy takes listeners to Newport, Rhode Island, where some of the most over-the-top Gilded Age mansions in the country were almost lost when the world around them changed. For a time, there was no clear path forward,...

Just after Stacy announces she is keeping Blake Hill House, winter responds in a very expensive way. She shares the latest twist in her restoration journey before welcoming Jessica Rhodes to discuss restoring an Italianate home in the public eye. They also talk about making decisions that serve real life, not just an audience. The episode concludes with the launch of a new listener feature exploring the state of preservation across the country.

For years, you’ve followed Blake Hill House. In this episode, Stacy shares what’s really been happening behind the scenes and how 2025 changed everything. It was a year of pressure, progress, second-guessing, and more than a few moments that nearly broke her. If you’ve been waiting for an update on Blake Hill House, this is the one.

In this episode of True Tales from Old Houses, Contractor and preservationist Brent Hull joins hosts Stacy Grinsfelder and Daniel Kanter to talk craftsmanship, good design, and why historic homes deserve better. Plus, learn how psychic realtor...

Stacy and Daniel kick off Season 12 with old house updates, product tips, and a lively conversation on preserving historical materials.  In this episode of True Tales from Old Houses, Stacy Grinsfelder and Daniel Kanter are back and ready to...

In this episode of True Tales From Old Houses, Stacy and Daniel discuss practical solutions for damaged wood floors in a folk Victorian farmhouse and chat with preservation architect Christopher Brandt. First, Stacy and Daniel offer some personal...

In today's episode, during listener Q&A, Stacy and Daniel discuss which inspection professionals to call during the old home buying process. And later, Georgia-based preservationist Caitlin Mee kicks off National Historic Preservation Month on...

In today's episode, during listener Q&A, Stacy and Daniel discuss how to prioritize old house projects when you're short on time.  And later, they chat with Erin Keegan. Erin loves old houses, and she and her business partner, Ben, have made...

In today's episode, during listener Q&A, Stacy and Daniel discuss ways to determine the original floor plan of an old house.  And later, they chat with Gina Bellous. Gina's dream of owning a Victorian Bed and Breakfast is coming true in her...

In today’s episode, Scott Sidler joins Stacy for listener Q&A. Scott explains how to use Low-e glass to improve the energy efficiency of steel casement windows. And later, Stacy chats with sisters Linda McManus and Chris Wysocki, who own a...

In today’s episode, Stacy is back in the Hudson Valley for the first of two shows recorded in front of a live audience. Stacy talks to Reggie Young from Hudson Valley House Parts. Reggie explains the logistics of the architectural salvage business...

In today's episode, live from Florida, Stacy chats with ten talented professionals involved in old house restoration. They discuss the mainstream shift they're seeing towards preservation and restoration and how they can continue to support positive...

In today's episode, Stacy chats with Joe Thornton, a 2nd generation Master Thatcher from the charming Cotswolds region of England. Roof thatching is a trade that has been around for thousands of years.  Also, Stacy and Jason Lamb discuss built-in...

In today’s episode, you’ll meet Jaya. He and his wife bought an abandoned farmhouse house in Japan that he is bringing back to life.  Also, Stacy and Dianne talk about the Scotland and Northern Ireland tour that Stacy is hosting in the summer...

During this final episode of season six, Stacy welcomes Dave Mertz, program chair of the Building Preservation Program at Belmont College in St. Clairsville, Ohio. Also, Stacy offers several end-of-season updates, including the season seven listener...

On today’s show, the first in front of a live audience in beautiful Hudson Valley, New York, Stacy talks to the always hilarious Daniel Kanter about revitalizing his community through the Kingston City Land Bank. Also, Stacy meets her previous...

In today’s episode, you’ll meet artist Leisa Collins. Leisa traveled across the United States, creating paintings of old homes and buildings along the way. She turned her art into a beautiful coffee table book filled with love and reverence for history and...

In this episode, Stacy welcomes Architect Keith Stachowiak from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Three years ago, Keith and his wife Elisa bought a former funeral home to convert into their primary residence. Keith's story is the first of two spooky, fun October...

In today’s episode, Stacy is thrilled to welcome back Elizabeth Finkelstein from the wildly popular Instagram Account and recent HGTV and Discovery+ TV Series, Cheap Old Houses. Also, during listener Q&A, Stacy welcomes back John Rodgers. Stacy...