The American Midwest offers an extraordinary concentration of historic neighborhoods where old houses are abundant, varied, and surprisingly affordable. From the stately Queen Annes of Chicago Bronzeville to the tidy Craftsman bungalows of Topeka College Hill, the region is a treasure trove of residential architecture spanning the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Whether you […]
For old house lovers, the search for the perfect historic home often leads to well-known cities. But some of the most rewarding discoveries lie in places you might never have considered. In 2011, This Old House tracked down seventeen of North America’s most timeless small towns, places where lovingly crafted old houses have extraordinary pasts
Across the United States and Canada, certain neighborhoods preserve the architectural soul of a continent. These are places where the Civil War, the Gold Rush, the Alaska Purchase, and the birth of a nation left permanent marks on the streetscape. The homes in these districts tell stories no history book can fully capture. For old-house
For homebuyers who value character, culture, and community, few settings rival the college town. When This Old House set out to identify North America’s best old-house neighborhoods in 2011, the editors zeroed in on college towns because these places preserve architectural heritage better than most. Whether you are searching for a Victorian fixer-upper in the
Table saws are the backbone of any professional woodworking shop or job site, but they also remain one of the most dangerous tools in construction. Each year, thousands of serious table saw injuries send workers to emergency rooms across the country. A new generation of smart table saws is tackling this problem head-on by combining
Locating studs, pipes, and wires behind walls is essential for countless home improvement projects, from hanging heavy shelving to running new electrical circuits. Traditional stud finders have served homeowners for decades, but a new generation of devices is changing how we detect what lies behind our walls. As demonstrated by This Old House home technology
The 2025 National Hardware Show in Las Vegas brought together manufacturers from around the world to showcase their latest innovations for professionals and homeowners. Walking through the 600,000-square-foot exhibition hall revealed practical solutions for home improvement, gardening, outdoor entertaining, and workshop productivity. Whether you are refurbishing a concrete patio or upgrading your outdoor cooking setup,
For two decades, the “What Is It?” segment has been a standout feature of This Old House, delighting audiences with its unique blend of mystery, craftsmanship, and good-natured humor. Hosted by the ever-knowledgeable Tom Silva, the segment challenges the show’s crew to identify obscure tools and household contraptions, often with hilarious and humbling results. As
One of the smartest habits any homeowner can develop is keeping a well-stocked tool belt within reach whenever tackling projects around the house. Having essential hand tools readily accessible improves efficiency and produces better results. Whether you are handling carpentry, plumbing, or electrical repairs, the right tools make every task more enjoyable and less frustrating.
Having the right hand tools within easy reach can dramatically improve both the speed and quality of your work around the house or on a job site. While power tools often steal the spotlight with their speed and flash, it is the humble hand tool that solves most everyday problems. Whether you are hanging trim,
