Historic home renovation requires a careful balance of preservation and modernization. The Nathaniel Page homestead in Bedford, Massachusetts, a 1720 Georgian Colonial listed on the National Register of Historic Places, exemplifies this challenge. Featured as the This Old House Season 33 project, this three-century-old home underwent a thoughtful renovation that respected its Revolutionary War-era heritage while making it livable for a young family. The project offers valuable insights for building professionals, architects, and homeowners undertaking similar historic preservation and remodeling in New England, where balancing heritage with modern building performance is essential.
Structural Assessment and Historical Significance
Before any renovation begins on a historic property, a thorough structural assessment must establish what can be preserved and what must be replaced. The Bedford house, built circa 1720 for the Page family, presented both opportunities and constraints rooted in its long history.
Evaluating the Original Fabric
The Nathaniel Page homestead was originally constructed as a classic Georgian Colonial with a symmetrical facade, central chimney, and hand-hewn timber frame. Over its 300-year lifespan, the house accumulated multiple additions and alterations:
- The original 1720 core structure with massive brick fireplace and wood-burning stove
- A rear ell added in the late 18th century
- A 2004 addition that would become a future playroom
- A wheelchair-accessible ramp and deck added more recently
- A detached two-car garage with barnlike character
Understanding this layered history was critical for determining which elements to retain, which to restore, and which to replace. The original raised-panel front door, dating to the 18th century, was identified for complete restoration with replica hardware rather than replacement. This approach aligns with best practices for selecting authentic reproduction hardware for historic home renovations, ensuring that new components match the period character.
National Register Considerations
Because the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the renovation team had to work within preservation guidelines. The house’s historical significance stems from Nathaniel Page, a descendant of the original owners who served as flag bearer for the Bedford Militia during the Battle of Concord in 1775. The battle flag he carried, purported to be the oldest in the United States, remained in the house for decades before being donated to the town of Bedford.
This historical weight meant that any modifications to the exterior envelope, window openings, or significant interior spaces required careful documentation and sensitive design. The team prioritized preserving the historic character while introducing modern systems for safety, comfort, and functionality.
Kitchen Transformation and Spatial Reconfiguration
The kitchen presented one of the most significant renovation challenges. Despite relatively recent cabinets and appliances, the space was dominated by a massive brick fireplace and wood-burning stove that consumed valuable square footage. The chimney extended through the second story and roof, complicating any reconfiguration.
Removing the Fireplace and Reclaiming Space
Homeowners Joe and Becky Titlow made the difficult decision to remove the brick fireplace and chimney structure. While Joe was initially willing to work around the fireplace, the couple ultimately decided that the safety concerns for their toddler daughter outweighed the historical appeal.
Key considerations in this decision included:
- Child safety risks from the unguarded wood-burning stove and brick hearth
- The massive footprint that prevented an efficient kitchen work triangle
- Structural implications of removing the chimney that extended through two floors and the roof
- Opportunity to salvage bricks for reuse in the new family room fireplace surround
New Kitchen Layout and Features
With the chimney removed, the kitchen was completely reconfigured to include:
- A central island with prep space and seating
- A built-in breakfast nook for family dining
- A walk-in pantry for improved storage
- Enhanced counter space and modern appliance integration
This transformation demonstrates how historic homes can accommodate modern living patterns. The salvaged bricks from the original chimney were repurposed to build a new fireplace surround and raised hearth in the family room addition, creating a meaningful connection between the old and new construction. For professionals tackling similar projects, understanding what an 18th-century saltbox remodel reveals about historic home preservation provides valuable context for material reuse strategies.
Addition Strategy and Interior Upgrades
The Bedford house renovation included two distinct additions: a rear family room and a front mudroom with powder room. Each served different functional needs while respecting the original Georgian Colonial massing.
Rear Addition: The Family Room
The most significant structural intervention was the rear addition housing a generous family room. This space features:
- A cathedral ceiling with exposed timber beams
- The salvaged brick fireplace surround and raised hearth
- Large windows for natural light while matching the period style
- Direct access to the reconfigured kitchen for open-plan living
Front Addition: Everyday Entry
A smaller addition at the front of the house created a mudroom and powder room to serve as the family’s everyday entrance. This required removing the existing wheelchair-accessible ramp. The new entry configuration improved daily circulation while maintaining the historic facade hierarchy.
Interior Restoration Priorities
Several interior spaces received targeted restoration rather than full renovation:
| Space | Scope of Work | Preservation Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Study (former living room) | Minor fixes to fireplace, floor inspection | Retain period look with exposed beams and brick surround |
| Dining room | Window restoration, surface freshening | Preserve wainscoting and wood-burning stove |
| Butler’s pantry | Paint and finish refresh | Retain original built-in cabinetry |
| Front stairway | Complete replacement | New sturdy stairway matching period style |
| Front door | Full restoration with replica hardware | Preserve original raised-panel door |
The window restoration work was particularly critical. The six-over-six windows and sashes in the dining room, believed to be more than a century old, were removed and completely restored. This painstaking process preserved the original glass and millwork while improving thermal performance. For contractors seeking technical guidance on this work, restoring old windows with expert techniques for saving heritage sash windows offers detailed methodology.
Exterior Restoration and Future Planning
The exterior work addressed decades of deferred maintenance while preserving the home’s iconic red color and barnlike character.
Clapboard and Paint Restoration
Rotting clapboards with blistering paint were removed and either replaced or restored. General contractor Tom Silva and his crew repainted the entire exterior, maintaining the period-appropriate red color that defines the home’s New England character. This type of meticulous exterior work is essential for long-term preservation, as moisture intrusion through damaged clapboards can lead to extensive structural rot in historic timber frames.
Garage Transformation Potential
The detached two-car garage, currently housing tools, gardening equipment, and a sports car, presents an opportunity for future conversion. Homeowner Joe Titlow hopes to work with master carpenter Norm Abram to transform it into a fully equipped workshop. At minimum, the garage will receive a new door that better matches its barnlike appearance, improving the overall aesthetic coherence of the property.
Lessons for Historic Renovation Projects
The Bedford house renovation offers several takeaways for professionals working on historic residential projects:
- Conduct thorough pre-renovation documentation. Understanding the full history of additions and alterations prevents surprises during construction.
- Prioritize material salvage and reuse. The chimney bricks repurposed into the family room fireplace created continuity between old and new construction.
- Balance preservation with livability. Families with young children have legitimate safety and functionality needs that may require modifications to historic fabric.
- Invest in window restoration. Original sash windows, when properly restored, outperform replacements in both aesthetics and durability.
- Plan for phased work. The garage workshop and other desired upgrades may need to wait for budget availability, so design for future expansion.
The Titlow family’s approach to renovating their 1720 Georgian Colonial demonstrates that historic homes can be adapted for modern family life without sacrificing their essential character. By working with skilled craftspeople, respecting preservation guidelines, and making thoughtful choices about what to restore versus what to replace, the project succeeded in creating a home that honors its Revolutionary War-era past while serving a 21st-century family.