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Historic Preservation Links - Part I

© Michael Morrissey

This being the internet and all we figured a few web link lists and reviews might be in order. This month's list focuses on physical resources. Below are a bunch of links to sites which should prove useful for the old house officianado.

In the coming months we'll be putting together lists of sites which will be either directly or tangentially related to historic preservation, in either case the sites should prove informative and can only add to your existing knowledge.

We begin with Architectural Salvage. A euphuism for junk shop. These places are simply the best, indispensable for finding the little - or big - details which have long since vanished from your old house. Need a 3.5" cast iron embossed hinge for your pantry door? If you do I bet one of these places will have one. We have found these places are best when you can walk around and look at all the neat junk oops I mean architectural salvage. Before you go make sure you bring measurements from every window, door, cupola and available space in your house. You just don't know what you're going to find, so when you do find it, at least you'll know if it fits.

Nothing compares to the sights and smells of the following places. A web site, no matter how well designed is a poor substitute for the experience of architectural salvage. Try to make it a point to visit one.

http://www.oldhousesalvage.com Architectural Salvage Inc., these are located in New Hampshire. There's nothing like New England for old stuff.

http://www.oldhouseparts.com The Old House Parts Company. These guys have the best most descriptive name. Located in Kennebunk, Maine - which is a bit out of the way for most people. They have a nice web site, good for browsing while on the phone with your boss

http://www.united-antiques.com United House Wrecking. This one is in Stamford, CT. I've actually been to this one and find it a great place to visit, shop, meander, and day dream.

http://www.abqueencity.com Architectural Artifacts in Denver Colorado, like the ones above, this one is great for its perusal value alone.

There are plenty of sites where you can find information and products for restoring an old bathroom, but I found that the following two places have done a very good job of concentrating in this field and therefore have the best restoration collection and mind set.

http://www.bathandmore.com Affordable Antique Bath & More.

http://www.deabath.com Bathroom Machineries.

The next two links are dedicated to tin ceilings, which are a truly defining feature when you can find them. A word of warning on tin ceilings, they can be dangerous, they can turn beautiful into gorgeous but they can just as easily turn ordinary into ugly.

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