"sounds like a Yankee gutter to me LeRoy. They are a nightmare to maintain and they often leak water into your soffet."
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Jim Finley
- Male
- Jewett City, CT
- United States
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Jim Finley's Discussions
Share your old houses' hidden treasures and artifacts
50 Replies
Let's hear what types of trinkets, treasures, artifacts and oddities people have found in their old houses. Whether it be in the floors, walls, ceilings, cellars or underground. Post pictures if you…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Kari Dunn Sep 12, 2012.
How do you deal with ice dams in your gutters?
20 Replies
This winter in Connecticut has been mild so far, but the last several have been humdingers. We had no sooner bought our old farmhouse in September 2008 than an early December storm dumped huge…Continue
Tags: dams, gutters, ice, snow
Started this discussion. Last reply by Casey Towne Aug 21, 2012.
Ever encounter old house snobbery?
47 Replies
How many of you out there have ever encountered the attitude about old houses that "common" people should not touch them, much less own them. In my part of New England this is fairly common among the…Continue
Tags: specialists, restoration, century, 18th
Started this discussion. Last reply by Toni Oct 19, 2012.
Jim Finley's Page
Latest Activity
Jim Finley commented on John Poole's blog post Imminent Teardown of an Historic Home"Any chance someone will do a salvage and at least save the beam, floorboards, stone, brick etc?
Although it seems shocking to people outside of New England, these types of early houses are quite common in our old towns and cities and as we all know,…"
Jim Finley replied to taramisu's discussion Cleaning aged exterior wood for painting"There are several options available to you: the oxalic acid wood "bleach", Peel-away (lye), heat gun, scraper, and sander. Depending on the job and types and layers of paint I have used all of them. I stripped the stairs and landing in my…"
Toni replied to Jim Finley's discussion Ever encounter old house snobbery?"I had to replace my "new" heat pump in July. I also rarely used my a/c in the summer since I have enough breeze going through the house that it doesn't get that hot most days/nights. Instead of getting another heat pump, I went with…"
Tom owns a Barber #1 replied to Jim Finley's discussion Ever encounter old house snobbery?"Good for you! What does everyone want from an antique, be that a car, piece of furniture or whatever? Original condition. 'Original' is the most valuable. When it is in 'original condition' or put back to that stage (or as close)…"
Dawn Cover replied to Jim Finley's discussion Ever encounter old house snobbery?"I get this all the time! My house was added on to arond 1890 I think...and all the floors on that side of the house upstairs is the wide planked floor. They have been painted, and all will have to be sanded and etc...but if I hear one more time that…"
Jim Finley replied to Casey Towne's discussion Walkway ideas - is concrete cheesy???"its important to lay a deep base under them - crushed stone, then stone dust then sand - then frost heave won't be much of an issue."
Kari Dunn replied to Jim Finley's discussion Share your old houses' hidden treasures and artifacts"We really need to do something with these...there is a book seller in town that I hear may be interested in them. It's my husband's job to go take care of that! I'll keep you posted!"
Jim Finley replied to Casey Towne's discussion Walkway ideas - is concrete cheesy???"for this era house concrete pavers would look great. There is a wide array of paver styles and colors available now and they are easy to lay and last forever. They are easy to shovel and you can even run a snowblower over them."
Jim Finley replied to Jim Finley's discussion Share your old houses' hidden treasures and artifacts"those are awesome! There are people who collect old postcards and make a hobby out of researching the names on them. I know a writer who wrote an entire biography of a 19th century sea captain, and his starting material was a single postcard."
Kari Dunn replied to Jim Finley's discussion Share your old houses' hidden treasures and artifacts"Here's a picture of the postcards our electrician found in our insulation in the attic. They are dated 1891 and addressed to the homes builder, Eugene Lewis..."
Will H replied to Jim Finley's discussion Share your old houses' hidden treasures and artifacts"Probably the most interesting thing I found was the former owners (cherry I believe) sleigh bed that was their wedding gift from the 20's. Also tons of mirrors from various eras.
In 2 of the guest rooms, the old 3 chain style ceiling lights…"
SMaclaskey replied to Jim Finley's discussion Share your old houses' hidden treasures and artifacts"I found a few things in the attic of our 1885 italianate. We haven't lived here long and it is too hot to explore thoroughly.
An old photo of a lady, nothing written on back, Huffmaster, Hoffmeister family history, though to my knowledge…"
cblehmann replied to Jim Finley's discussion Share your old houses' hidden treasures and artifacts" Markings for growth for little girls living in the house in 1889-1913.. They appeared as paint layers were scraped away, about 3-4 layers. It was especially exciting as I'd researched the families…"
Casey Towne replied to Jim Finley's discussion How do you deal with ice dams in your gutters?"North of the thruway. Oswego to be exact (same city as PStewart)
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Jim Finley replied to Pat G's discussion Finish for Wood Countertops"I would reccommend about a 50:50 mixture as it takes a long time to dry"
Profile Information
- Tell us about yourself:
- Husband, father, scientist and old house owner
- Tell us about your old-house experiences and dreams:
- Currently in our second 18th century house in southeastern Connecticut. The 1741 Timothy Lester Homestead (Natl. Reg.) is a center chimney colonial with 5 fireplaces, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, large keeping room, parlor, hall with 3500 sf that is impossible to heat! The main fireplace is 8x5 ft with double rear bread ovens. Most of the interior walls are full length feather-edge panelling. Framing is post and beam with plank sheathing, and interior posts are gunstock, with exposed beams in many rooms. Flooring is wide pine in the front "formal rooms" and wide chestnut in the rear "working" rooms. We are not planning on changing the layout of the house, only cleaning, painting, insulating and updating systems as needed. I love searching for old artifacts in and around the house (I have many) and I love sharing stories and ideas with other old house owners.
Jim Finley's Photos
Comment Wall (1 comment)
- At 5:50pm on January 17, 2012,
James L Wolcott said… Looks nice...................
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