True Tales From Old Houses
True Tales From Old Houses is a light-hearted, entertaining, and educational show for lovers of old houses and buildings, DIYers, history buffs, and restoration and preservation junkies. Available bi-weekly, host Stacy Grinsfelder shares personal project updates, listener Q & A, and interviews with engaging old house owners, restoration professionals, and craftspeople.
Episodes
In today's episode, Stacy and Daniel talk to preservation legend, Bob Yapp. Bob Yapp is the president of the national historic preservation consulting firm, Preservation Resources, Inc., and he conducts hands-on preservation events in cities and towns across America. Additionally, Bob founded and teaches at his school in Hannibal, Missouri, The Belvedere School for Hands-On Preservation.
Also, Wendi Pettett from the Demolished Salt...
In this episode, Stacy and Daniel describe their survival of the fittest approach to gardening.
Stacy also discusses her upcoming surgery and how the long recovery will affect her summer projects and plans.
Then, Daniel explains the sad breakup with his long-time contractor and the frustration of continuing to pay people who do sloppy work.
And Finally, Stacy and Daniel make a pact to practice self-control when it comes to microman...
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 True Tales From Old Houses. Caitlin, also known as The Preservation Peach on Instagram, shares her path to the academic side of preservation. She also explains her p...
In this episode, the very first minisode, Stacy and Daniel explain why they are adding minisodes and how they differ from the typical format of True Tales From Old Houses.
Stacy also discusses the stress and emotion of getting Blake Hill House ready for sale and the bleak Salt Lake City real estate market where house flipping is the norm.
Daniel tries to convince Stacy that his nine-year Blue Stone Cottage house project is a slow...
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 it their brand to match buyers with historic properties in the crazy real estate market of Los Angeles, California.
This episode is marked explicit because the p...
In today's episode, Stacy and Daniel talk about handling unsolicited advice on social media and from friends and family in real life.
And later, you'll meet architectural designer Christienne Dobson. Christienne and her husband and baby moved from Harlem to the Catskills full-time during the pandemic. They are building a home and community in rural New York and couldn't be happier. Christienne uses her training and talent to brin...
In today's episode, during listener Q&A, Stacy and Daniel discuss the merits of lead safety training and certification for old house owners.
And later, Stacy talks to Amy and Rachel from the Historic Murray First Foundation in Murray, Utah. In an area of the United States where historic buildings are being destroyed routinely in the name of progress, the Historic Murray First Foundation is fighting to save Murray's built environmen...
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 little cottage nestled near the bay of San Pedro, California.
To request a transcript of this episode, please reach out via the contact page.
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In today's episode, the first of season nine, Stacy welcomes a new co-host, Daniel Kanter. During listener Q&A, Stacy and Daniel discuss special considerations for wallpapering crooked plaster walls.
And later, Stacy and Daniel chat with Christopher Wilson, owner of the Aurora, a 1955 cruise ship he is restoring in Stockton, California. Christopher bought the Aurora off of Craigslist, and since the purchase, he's been living on the...
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 research company called History Attic. Linda and Chris investigate the often fascinating history of old homes and buildings....
In today's episode, Laine Berry from Our Restoration Nation shares apocryphal stories. Apocryphal stories have a dubious origin, but they have been told so often that they are accepted as fact. Many of these tales are rooted in religion and superstition.
Also, Andy joins Stacy for the first segment. They talk about their timeline for moving and the architecture and amenities they both want in their next old house.
In today’s episode, Stacy chats with Esther Judge-Lennox, founder of Shacks on Racks. Shacks on Racks is an innovative company working hard to keep old houses out of the landfill by moving them before they are demolished. The mountain west is suffering from an acute housing shortage. Esther connects potential homeowners with available houses and facilitates the moving process.
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In today’s episode, Stacy is back in the Hudson Valley for the second of two shows recorded in front of a live audience. Old houses are money-hungry, and figuring out how to pay for rehabilitation and maintenance can be stressful. Susan and Will Brinson, Bradley Huber, Reggie Young, and Daniel Kanter join Stacy for a panel discussion about finances and budgeting. The panel gets real about how much th...
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 and shares fascinating stories about the dire future of our historic built environment.
Also, the always hilarious ...
In today’s episode, author David Giffels chats with Stacy about his humorous and heartfelt memoir, All the Way Home: Building a Family in a Falling down House. David Giffels is an author, essayist, journalist, and lifelong resident of Akron, Ohio.
Also, Alex joins Stacy for Listener Q&...
October is ghost story month, so get ready for some goosebumps. In today's episode, Stacy shares four tales of the unexplained, including one from Blake Hill House. From pranks to thanks, each paranormal experience is unique.
To request a transcript of this episode, please reach out via the contact page Read more
In today's episode, Stacy and Alex discuss ways to choose and modify low-end cabinetry to make it more suitable and period-appropriate for an old house.
And later, Stacy chats with long-time restoration contractor Stephen Ortado about four-leaf clovers and his most memorable encounters with spirits. October is ghost story month, so get ready for some goosebumps....
In today’s episode, Stacy and John Rodgers disagree during Q&A when a listener asks if she should abandon city life for a big old house in the country.
And then later, Stacy chats with Scott Hanson, author of Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners. They talk about his award-winning book, and how Scott introduces modern updates into his 19th-century home in Maine.
In today's episode, Stacy visits the Silver Lake Institute, a small lake cottage community with a fascinating religious camp past. Brad and Stacy discuss his latest project house and the evolving history of the institute. Note: Brad's first house, a small bungalow, was featured on an episode of Cheap Old Houses on HGTV.
Also, Andy deGruchy from Limeworks.us joins Stacy for listener Q&A. Andy...
In today's episode, Danny Moody from Pro Historical joins Stacy for listener Q&A. They discuss why so many old houses have aluminum-wrapped exterior trim and whether removing it is a good or bad idea.
And later, Stacy chats with Hugh Siler. Hugh restores small cottages in the Old Towne District of Orange, California. His eye for detail and unique take on preservation makes these homes highly ...
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