‘Well, the plan was to renovate…but Frank’s always been a touch heavy handed!!’
Have you just bought an older home? Wondering how to maintain it, renovate, or how to make it more weathertight? Here are some resources.
Why Old Places Matter
Overview of the importance of historic preservation from the National Trust for Historic Preservation
Why Preserve?
Short summary of why preservation matters in Vermont by Meg Campbell, Preservation Trust of Vermont.
How to Research your House History
Tips for using deeds, maps, the census, and other materials to learn the story of your home.
Maintenance and Preservation Advice
- Tips for Homeowners from Historic New England–a wide ranging list of guidance for those interest in historic preservation ranging from developing a recommended maintenance schedule, to window restoration and picking period appropriate paint.
- The Starter Kit for Renovating Historic Homes from The National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Homeowner Tips from Preservation Trust of Vermont
- Old House Resources from New Hampshire Preservation Alliance
- Taking Care of Your Old Barn, Curtis B. Johnson and Thomas Visser
- Old Barn Resources, New Hampshire Preservation Alliance
- Energy Efficiency Tips, Historic New England
- Energy Advice for Owners of Historic and Older Homes, National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Weatherization Tips, New Hampshire Preservation Alliance
- New Exterior Additions to Historic Buildings, National Park Service
- Sensitive Additions to Historic Buildings, Preservation Ohio
- Painting Best Practices, Historic New England
- Exterior Painting Tips for the Do-It-Yourselfer, New Hampshire Preservation Alliance
Funding and Contractor Resources
Note: Most grants for historic preservation work and not applicable to homeowners (with the exception of barn grants) and are generally available for non-profit and community-owned buildings.
- Directory of Preservation Products and Services, New Hampshire Preservation Alliance
- Vermont Restoration Directory, Preservation Trust of Vermont
- Preservation Directory, Preservation Massachusetts
- National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Historic New England (leading regional heritage organization and source of preservation best practices)
- Preservation Trust of Vermont (Vermont’s statewide non-profit historic preservation organization)
- New Hampshire Preservation Alliance (New Hampshire’s statewide non-profit historic preservation organization).