Old House Fair
Seminars and Workshops

Historic Wood Window Restoration – offered twice!
Tom Bretherton, master craftsman
Thomas Frederick Bretherton Commercial Contracting

Did you know that a properly restored historic wood window has higher e-value than most new windows on the market? Save your windows and the unnecessary expense of buying replacements by attending this hands-on demonstration of wood window restoration techniques.

Wear old clothes and bring a can-do attitude. Learn about wood window anatomy and operation, wood and epoxy repairs, glazing, and proper installation. The number of hands-on participants may be limited but anyone can watch. You can't afford to miss this workshop!


Maintenance Plans for Old Houses
Laura Drummond, preservation consultant
City of Stone Mountain

Owning any house means maintenance. Owning a historic home means maintenance and preservation. Learn how to develop a maintenance plan for your home that helps you understand all the systems in your house and what is required for their upkeep. You will learn what tasks need to be done on an annual, bi-annual and monthly basis. You'll also be better prepared to recognize when you have a problem that needs the attention of a professional before it costs you thousands of dollars.


Tax Incentives and Credits for Historic Houses
Ced Dolder, tax coordinator
State Historic Preservation Office

The best-kept secret is the tax incentives programs offered by the federal and state government for certified rehabilitations to historic homes. A new law just passed in Georgia allows up to $100,000 in tax credits for old-house rehabilitations. Does that sound good to you? What about an eight-and-a-half-year property tax freeze? Come to this seminar and learn what it means to complete a certified rehabilitation on your old house and how you may be able to qualify for these exceptional programs.


Sensitive Additions to Old Houses
Stacie Monroe and Erin Christman, architects/preservationists
re-FORM, Inc.

Want to add space to your historic home but don't want it to look like an addition? Don't know whether to go up or out? Learn all about the concerns and opportunities associated with renovating or adding onto a historic home. Whether your home is from the 1890s, 1920s, or mid-century, proper planning is key to a successful addition.


What Style Is Your House and Should It Be on the National Register?
Leslie N. Sharp, Ph.D., director of special projects
College of Architecture, Georgia Institute of Technology

What is the difference between a Craftsman home and a Foursquare? Are all Victorians the same style? What is the origin of the bungalow? This fascinating seminar will educate you on identifying the styles and types of homes and their historic significance. You'll also learn about the National Register of Historic Places and its importance in identifying the country's most important architectural resources.


"Greening" Your Old House
Robert Soens, CEO
Pinnacle Custom Builders

The greenest house is the one already built. But, did you know that there is even more you can do to reduce your old home?s carbon footprint? Learn from a certified Earthcraft builder how to "green" your house with maximum return for your dollar. Topics include improving energy efficiency, water efficiency, rain/gray water harvest systems, heating/cooling innovations and much more. It?s easy to be green!


Researching Your Old House
Kenneth Thomas, Jr., professional historian/genealogist

Ever wanted to know when your house was built and by whom? Who lived in your house and how it changed over the years? Learn from the foremost expert on historic house research where to look for building records, census data, city directories, old photographs, historic Sanborn maps, and so much more. The information is out there if you just know where to look. When we say that Ken wrote the book on research in Georgia, we aren't kidding!


Storm Windows for Old Houses
Bill Clark, architect
Stevens & Wilkinson, Stang & Newdow

If you think all storm windows are alike, you should come to this seminar. Storm window technology has changed dramatically in the last 50 years. The options are many and the quality and looks are amazing. Learn from a formerly frustrated homeowner who created his own storm window system and cut his heating and air conditioning bills in half. These aren't your grandmother's storm windows!


Historic Landscapes for Old Houses
Edward Daugherty, landscape architect
Edward L. Daugherty Landscape Architect, Inc.

Historic landscapes tell us so much about the lives and interests of previous generations. Each style of home and time period has its own unique landscape associated with it. Learn from one of Atlanta's most well-known landscape architects about the kinds of gardens and landscapes that would have existed during various time periods throughout Georgia. You'll learn about the types and varieties of plant and hardscape materials that were often chosen and how you can create these landscapes in your own yard.


How to Hire a Contractor
Peter Michelson, CEO
Renewal Construction, Inc.

The process of interviewing and selecting a contractor is a daunting task and not having all the information can cost you many thousands of dollars. Learn from the owner of one of the top-ranked remodeling firms in the country how to navigate this process.

This seminar will cover contractor certification/licensing, fixed price vs. time and material contracts, questions to ask when interviewing contractors, project management, timelines, using value engineering to reduce costs, and so much more. If you are planning to renovate your old home, you need to attend this seminar.


Remodeling for Sustainable Living
Jesse Morado, certified Aging in Place specialist
Renovation Coach, Inc.

With the rising costs of new construction and the need to maximize retirement dollars, renovating your historic home for the future makes good economic sense. Learn how making changes with a Universal Design approach can help you create a home that sustains your family for many years to come while also increasing its market value.