Expo Preview for Hip People!
Are old houses and history old-fashioned? No way! Here are six “hip-storical” reasons to attend the Old House & Barn Expo
Up Close Construction and Craft
Expo attendees will enjoy access to a wall structure produced by Sanborn Mills Farm that showcases the evolution of construction methods as well as everyday needs like plumbing, electrical and plaster. The Timber Framers Guild will be building and erecting a small pavilion. Kevin Fife and The Stone Trust will be splitting stone and building stone walls. Other demonstrators will be showcasing wood turning, window repair, guilding, mortar-making and more.
Made in the Shade Spaces for Old Homes
Life can be relaxing and enjoyable on the porch or in the garden, right? Two presenters -- Gordon Hayward, a nationally-recognized garden writer and designer, and UVM professor Thomas D. Visser, author of Porches of North America – and exhibitors – will offer historical perspectives and advice on these important, hip parts of homes we love.
Cool Cats for Barn Owners
Live and Let Live Farm will be at the show to inform attendees about barn cat adoption and care. The Preservation Alliance’s members who are barn and barn cat owners report that their daily routine of barn cat care helps them keep track of barn maintenance issues. The cats also help control rodent population, and are fun to have around.
New Old Buildings
At a session on mid-20th century architecture on March 22 and at exhibits on the show floor, folks will be talking about the newest old buildings. The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Kalil House in Manchester was one of the biggest ‘saves’ of this past year thanks to the Currier Museum. But the house doesn’t have to be associated with an internationally-acclaimed architect to be important. Thousands of mid-century homes will soon be considered “historic,” but more importantly, provide affordable and attractive living.
Young People + Old Buildings
The Preservation Alliance will be highlighting and supporting next-generation preservationists at the Expo with a session for first-time homebuyers and researching your old house by young preservationists Mae Williams and Andrew Cushing, and exhibitors can visit with North Bennett Street School and other exhibitors who marry youth with experience. Younger people can find financial and social values in older homes note Kayla Schweitzer of the N.H. State Council on the Arts and Molly Bolick of Sanborn Mills Farm, the Expo planning committee’s youngest members.
Uber local
Expo exhibitors and presenters advise about “go local” and sustainability every day. New Hampshire contractors and designers report an uptick of client interest in local materials. Sue Booth of Vintage Kitchens notes that her customers like to use local lumber for floors and millwork, and that native plants are popular for gardens. She said that it is easy to source local talent in addition to local materials. “We are also lucky to have so many talented craftsmen who can make hardware, cabinets, weathervanes, murals and more,” she added. Booth described the Expo as a “big farmer’s market of old house products and services.”
Share your thoughts at the Expo and with a note to projects@nhpreservation.org.
