Join the Historical Society of Watertown for "A House Restored: The Tragedies and Triumphs of Saving a New England Colonial," a slide show and talk on the Historic Preservation of a 300-year-old farmhouse on the South Shore by Lee McColgan.

Old houses share their secrets only if they survive. Trading the corporate ladder for a stepladder, Lee McColgan commits to preserving the ramshackle Loring House, built in 1702, using period materials and methods and on a holiday deadline. But his enchantment withers as he discovers the massive repairs it needs. McColgan’s journey expertly examines our relationship to history through the homes we inhabit, beautifully articulating the philosophy of preserving the past to find purpose for the future.

Lee McColgan has worked on Boston’s Old North Church, Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, and other buildings. His work has appeared in Architectural Digest, the Boston Globe, and the Wall Street Journal.

All meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, please go to our website or contact Joyce at joycekel@aol.com. This Program is funded through a 2023 Watertown Community Foundation grant.