Old House School Series 2004

 

 

The Westport Historical Society presented a six-month educational series of lectures and panel discussions on the preservation and restoration of the town’s antique homes. The series, Old House School, will begin on Saturday, January 31, and is open to owners and prospective homeowners of historic properties. The series is perfect for those with an interest in preserving traditional design, and those wishing to decorate newly constructed homes in a traditional style.

According to Hilary Stevens, creator of the event and a Westport-based Realtor with William Raveis Real Estate & Home Services, much of Westport's residential inventory is/are antique homes, built in 1954 or before. The Historic District Commission has identified approximately 700 historic homes in Westport, and some of these are recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Ms. Stevens, who recently purchased a Westport antique home, will serve as moderator throughout the series. She is a member of the National Trust and the Westport Historical Society.  “It is fascinating to study the history of home design because it reflects us at our best, when we were creating something," said Ms. Stevens.

The lectures will provide information and resources to antique homeowners by widely recognized guest speakers from a diverse range of disciplines. “We’re pleased to provide homeowners in Westport and surrounding towns with information, resources and guidance on historic home preservation,” said Joni Andrews, President of the Historical Society. “Understanding the history of home design is the first step in helping antique or traditional design homeowners, because it allows them to put what they have in a context. Then when they facing renovations, interior design or landscaping they have a framework in which to make decisions.

The lectures will provide information and resources to antique homeowners by widely recognized guest speakers from a diverse range of disciplines. The opening lecture, The Impact of Westport’s Agricultural and Maritime History on Home Style and Design, presented by James Sexton, PhD, will be an overview on how Westport’s early days as an agricultural, and later, maritime center, influenced home style and design. Mr. Sexton, who received his degree in Art History from Yale University, is a consultant and writer for the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. His interpretive plans, historic structure reports and restoration assessments have included the Putnam Cottage and Bush-Holley House in Greenwich, as well as other significant buildings throughout Connecticut. The lecture will be held Saturday, January 31, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Nut & Bolts of Old House Ownership, the second lecture on Saturday, Feb. 7, will include four speakers: Brad Aron, a Westport attorney, will speak on legal and tax issues associated with antique homeownership; Peter Seirup, a partner of Ridgefield-based Home Directions, will speak on the antique home inspection process; John Grosso of American Mortgage Services will speak on financing, with special emphasis on renovation and restoration; Sandra Bravo of PLI Brokerage, Inc. will speak on the unique insurance needs of antique homes.

The remaining seven lectures will be held on selected Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., through May 15, at the Westport Historical Society, 25 Avery Place, Westport, CT.

Tickets are currently on sale for all lectures. Tickets are $10 for each lecture, or $75 for the entire series, for members of the Westport Historical Society. For non-members, tickets are $15 per lecture, or $100 for the entire series.
 

Old House School Schedule

Saturday, January 31

Topic:                                       The Impact of Westport’s Agricultural and Maritime History on

                                                Home Style and Design

Speaker:                                   James Sexton, PhD, consultant, writer, Connecticut Trust for Historic          

                                                Preservation

 

Saturday, February 7

Topic:                                       Nuts & Bolts of Old House Ownership

Panel Leader:                            Hilary Stevens, Historic Home Specialist, William Ravels Real Estate & Home Services

Speakers

Home Inspections:                     Peter Seirup, principal, Home Directions

Insurance:                                 Sandra Bravo, SVP Business Development, PLI Brokerage

Financing:                                 John Grosso, American Mortgage Services

Legal/Tax:                                 Brad Aron, Esquire

 

Saturday, February 28

Topic:                                       What to Expect When Renovating Your Old House

Speakers

Homeowner:                              Debby Angotti, Homeowner

Restoration Architect:                Chris Wuerth, principal, Christopher Wuerth Restoration Contractors

Historic District Commission:     Barlow Cutler-Wotton, Historic District Commission

 

Saturday, March 6

Topic:                                       Caring for the Exterior of Your Old House

Panel Leader:                            David Preusch, architect with antique specialty

Speakers

Roofing:                                    Craig Schultz, principal, C.R. Schultz Associates

Siding:                                      Michael Hesling, principal, Tectonics Inc.

Shutters/Windows:                     David Preusch, architect

Painting:                                   Ben Taing, President, Industrial Painting Corp.

Masonry/Chimney:                      TBA

 

Saturday, March 20

Topic:                                       The Mechanicals of Your Old House

Panel Leader:                            David Preusch, Architect with antique specialty

Speakers

Plumbing:                                 Peter Kunkel, principal, Forger-Kunkel Plumbing and Heating

Heating and Cooling:                  Andy Morin, Principal, Cannondale Heating & Air Conditioning

Electrical:                                  Ray Berry, President, Yankee Electric Construction Company

Lighting:                                    Amy Vitale, ALV Lighting Solutions

 

Saturday, April 3

Topic:                                       The Interior of Your Old House

Panel Leader:                            David Preusch, architect with antique specialty

Speakers:

Woodwork:                                Michael D. Kaesmann, principal, Michael D. Kaesmann Builder

                                                Ken Marti, Brookside Cabinets & Millwork

Painting:                                   Ben Taing, President, Industrial Painting Corp

 

Saturday, April 10

Topic:                                       21^st Century Detective Work: Assessing & Researching Your Old

                                                House

Panel Leader:                            Hilary Stevens, Historic Home Specialist, William Raveis Real Estate &

                                                Home Services

Speakers:

Research:                                 Cheryl Bliss, Archivist, Westport Historical Society

                                                David Press, author

Assessment:                             Representative from the National Trust for Historic Preservation

                       

 

Saturday, May 1

Topic:                                       Interior Design for Period Homes

Speaker:                                   Richard Hershner, principal, Historic Design Associates

 

Saturday, May 15

Topic:                                       Landscape for Period Styles

Speaker:                                   Sheila Wertheimer, Principal, Wertheimer & Associates

 

 

Old House School made possible in part by donations from PLI Brokerage and David Preusch, Architect.