Talks, Tours, and Roundtables at the 2024 Old House & Barn Expo

We’ve got lots going on at our upcoming Expo on Saturday, March 16 (9:30am to 5:30pm) and Sunday, March 17 (9:30am to 4:30pm). To help you plan your day we’ve created a list of the great programming you can expect over the weekend. Please note: these lists are subject to change. Check back for updates. A showguide will be available during the Expo.

Hourly Talks

Saturday, March 16

10 – 11 am

  • Stone Foundation Restoration – Ian Blackman

  • Wooden You See It – Window and Glass Types in New Hampshire and Beyond – Andy Roeper, Winn Mountain Restorations

11 am – 12 noon

  • From Foundation to King Post: Investigating the Rockledge Farm Barn Restoration Project – Ian Blackman

  • Energy Efficiency in Old Houses – Dylan Peacock, Historic New England

12 – 1 pm

  • A Conversation with Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein, Founders of Cheap Old Houses

1-2 pm

  • Interesting Features of Old Barns – John Porter, author of Preserving Old Barns, and Arron Sturgis, Preservation Timber Framing

  • Advice from a “Furn Nerd”: Celebrating and Using Old Furniture Today – Caroline Alexander, Sunrise Vintage & Antiques

2-3 pm

  • Exploring the Personal Passion and Job Paths of Craftsmanship: Conversation with woodworker Tom Bodett, HatchSpace, and timber framer Arron Sturgis, Preservation Timber Framing

  • Buying, Selling and Financing Antique Properties - David Deysher, Coldwell Banker Realty

3-4 pm

  • Great Plants for Historic Properties: How to select and grow trees, shrubs and flowers that have stood the test of time – Henry Homeyer, garden expert and columnist

  • Old House, New Kitchen – Sue Booth, Vintage Kitchens

4-5 pm

  • Old Structures: What do you have and where do you start a rehabilitation project? – Steve Bedard, Bedard Preservation & Restoration

  • Are You Covered? Understanding Historic Property Insurance – Valerie Armstrong, American National Insurance

Sunday, March 17

10 – 11 am

  • House Histories: How to Research the Evolution of Your House – Mae Williams, Unlocking History, and Andrew Cushing, N.H. Preservation Alliance

  • Finding the Balance: Historic Preservation and Resiliency – Rodney Rowland, Strawbery Banke Museum, and Arron Sturgis, Preservation Timber Framing

11 am – 12 noon

  • Don’t Be Afraid of a Cheap Old House - Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein, Cheap Old Houses; Sarah Reid, Small Victories Design; and Andrew Cushing, N.H. Preservation Alliance

12 – 1 pm

  • Notre Dame de Paris: the Journey to Rebuild the Spire – Jackson DuBois, Timber Framers Guild

1-2 pm

  • History and Evolution of NH Architecture — Nadine Miller, NH Division of Historical Resources

  • Understanding Lead with Michelle Arbogast of Eastern Research Group. Sponsored in part by the NH Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

2-3 pm

  • Snug as a Bug in a Rug: Insulation and Ventilation for Historic Houses – Scott Hanson, Hanson Historic Consulting

  • Lost in Place: Saving Painted Wall Paintings – David Ottinger, Center for Painted Wall Preservation

3-4 pm

  • Easements and other Preservation Tools for Historic Property Owners – Amy Dixon, NH Division of Historical Resources, and Elizabeth Durfee Hengen, Preservation Consultant

  • ReEnergize Your Home with Solar! - Amy Farnham, ReVision Energy

Career Path Roundtables

Saturday 3-4pm and Sunday 2-3pm

Interested in a career working with old buildings? Considering a change in career path? Join us for a fun and informal session to learn why the preservation trades might be a rewarding career possibility for you! We’ll have four roundtables set up for an opportunity to ask new-to-the-career contractors, seasoned tradespeople, and trade school professionals what drew them to the trades, what is the most fulfilling part of their work, how they got started, and what are some trades school possibilities. This will be a wonderful opportunity to talk to a variety of trades career professionals, learn why there is great potential in this profitable career path and engage first-hand with the experts!

Special Campus Tours for Expo Attendees

Saturday, March 16, 10:30am - 11:45am - Architectural and Adaptive Reuse Tour of Saint Anselm’s Chapel Art Center and the Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute

Hear the story of two buildings at Saint Anselm College and how their very different designs intersect. The Maginnis and Walsh-designed Chapel building, constructed in 1924 (now the Alva de Mars Megan Chapel Art Center) and the former Boiler House, built in 1913, are designed by the same architects but are very different spaces. The boiler house was recently adapted for use as the College’s new Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute by Milestone Construction, who will be present to answer questions about turning a boiler house into a welcoming educational space.

Tour led by Keith Chevalier, College Archivist, Saint Anselm College and Matt Beaulieu, Milestone Construction
Meet outside the Chapel Art Center
NOTE - Space is limited to 25 people for this tour. If you’re interested in attending, please check in at the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance Booth at least 30 minutes before the start of the tour to see if there is space on the list.

Saturday, March 16, 1:30pm - 2:30pm - Saint Anselm Abbey Church Tour

The Abbey Church is known as the heart of Saint Anselm’s college campus for many reasons. The Church, commissioned by the Benedictine monks of Saint Anselm Abbey and designed by New Hampshire architect Nicholas Isaak, was completed in 1966 and continues to inspire the community of monks, students, and public who attend religious services here. This modernist building features some unique architectural details, amazing acoustics, and modern art throughout- come see why this building is such an important cornerstone of campus and an important modernist building in New Hampshire.

Tour led by Keith Chevalier, College Archivist, Saint Anselm College
Meet inside the main entrance of the Abbey Church
There is no limitation on number of attendees for this tour and there is no need to pre-register.


Lists and information are subject to change. More on career path roundtables and campus tours coming soon!

And don’t miss the live demonstrations in our Traditional Arts Showcase sponsored in part by the NH State Council on the Arts. Ongoing demonstrations both days include timber framing, woodworking, wood refinishing, rope making, traditional music and much more!