WELCOME TO THE HUMAN-CURATED HISTORIC PRESERVATION MARKETPLACE

For The Swan Company owner, Carol Hanson, it all began in 1979 with the purchase of an 1876 Italianate row house on Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco. "It had picture rail molding, but the only place that carried the appropriate hangers (Woolworth's) went out of business before I got there. So I said 'Ok, I can do this myself'. Figuring that I wasn’t the only person that would miss Woolworth, I ran a very tiny ad in Victorian Homes Magazine. That describes the birth of the 'Picture Hanging Paraphernalia'. What came next was the picture rail molding. In 1989, we began construction of a new old house using mostly architectural salvage. That’s when I stumbled on 'Gesso' picture rail molding. By some miracle I found enough at a salvage yard to do our entire house. But I was in love with it and wanted to share it with others. I used scrap pieces on my website to display my picture rail hooks. Big mistake…as people thought I had it for sale, and I ended up disappointing a lot of them. But that’s when my quest began to learn as much as I could about it. It led me on a long (and many times disappointing) road, but I just couldn’t get it out of my mind. So now, a mere 25 years later, I am able to offer the world authentic Gesso Picture Rail Molding. Yes the real thing…plaster on wood and, best of all, it’s made in the USA".

O. K. Foundry Company is a full service iron foundry providing custom architectural iron castings for new installations and restoration of historical cast iron. With a foundry pattern shop on premises, OK Foundry maintains complete traditional pattern making capabilities and foundry pattern tradecraft. Casting designs and patterns can also be rendered in 3D CAD and digital fabrication techniques like CNC milling, CNC routing, and additive manufacturing. Our foundry pattern makers can reproduce architectural iron castings from drawings or salvaged original pieces for accurate reproductions or sensitive restorations. Almost any casting can be reproduced by the skilled artisans at OK Foundry. Patternless castings for prototypes or one-of-a-kind castings can be made using sand mold printing technology. To support new designs OK Foundry provides complete design and engineering support for new castings. Let OK Foundry show you how sand castings can be used in your project.

Parrett Windows & Doors is a nationwide manufacturer of quality, custom crafted wood and aluminum-clad wood windows, doors, grilles and accessories. All of our windows and doors are custom built and hand crafted to meet your specifications. One of Parrett's specialties is the manufacture of historic style windows, doors and accessories matching original designs. You don't need to settle for mass produced products. Yes, a higher standard is available. Parrett builds durable, true quality products that are designed to perform for many decades. And, as we hear all the time, "They are simply beautiful!" Every window and door is individually engineered and constructed with a level of care and quality that exceeds mass assembled products. Size, shape, style, profiles are all part of the carefully considered design to meet your specific order requirements. Parrett's products are designed to achieve the best possible energy performance while being exceptionally durable and requiring little maintenance.

Authentic Reproduction Push Button Light and Dimmer Switches from Classic Accents are replicas of push button switches which were used in homes around the United States from the late 19th century to the 1950's. They are built to the specifications of modern electrical code and can be used for replacing your old push button switches or new construction. They add a unique and classic element to any room. We also carry a large selection of forged or stamped metal plates in your choice of 37 different finishes, in a wide array of different layouts. Classic Accents' large assortment of hardware includes bin pulls, cabinet knobs, door hinges, door knockers, door stops and coat hooks. Our interior decor accessories include 7 different styles of picture moulding hooks in various finishes, picture hanging kits that come in 9 different colors, picture hanging cord that comes in 12 different colors in our 1/8" diameter cord and 24 different colors in our 3/8" diameter cord and tassels that come in 6 different colors. All these items add an interesting and beautiful feel to any room in your home.

Architectural Salvage, W.D. Inc. has been providing original and reproduction architectural antiques and elements to designers, builders, collectors, homeowners, and curious creatives since 1985. With 24,000 square feet and four architectural salvage yards in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, we offer thousands of unique, unusual, and hard to find home decor items to a national clientele. You will find evidence of our one-of-a-kind treasures in distinctive homes, memorable restaurants, innovative corporate environments, and elegant gardens. From our large inventory of antique light fixtures, mantels, entryways, and backbars, you can choose from a constant stock of unusual items. We specialize in reproduction mahogany entryways with leaded glass, but also offer a diverse assortment of architectural antiques including pool tables, antique door hardware, sinks and plumbing fixtures, stained glass, armoires, pedestals, statuary, ceramics and pottery, chimney tops, chairs, tables, stonework, weathervanes, ironwork, and much more. Unique architectural garden antiques and yard items such as terra cotta, iron gates, fountains, and outdoor furnishings are also available.

Innerglass windows are "The Perfect Storm" for insulating historic homes and buildings. The standards that define a "historic" home or building are very specific. The original window units are part of the building’s historic integrity and replacement of these windows is strongly discouraged. The guidelines specifically say, "If the original windows are in place, repair and retrofit of these windows is preferred." That’s where Innerglass comes in. Because our windows compression-fit inside of the stops of the primary window, there is no need to disturb the integrity of the original windows. And because each of our windows are custom made to fit the exact measurements of each window, they are extremely efficient for windows that are no longer square, which is very often the case with historic homes and buildings.

Does your older house qualify as an Historic-Cultural Monument? It may! Charles J. FIsher, Histoiran has discovered many a diamond in the rough. You may be surprised to discover that you own a truly historic property. Is a precious landmark near you threatened with demolition or development? You or your community organization may be able to protect it, even if you don't own the property. History belongs to all of the citizens of Los Angeles, and anyone can nominate a property as an Historic-Cultural Monument. Even if the property does not receive Historic-Cultural Landmark status, it will be protected for a few precious months while preservation strategies can be prepared. Charlie assists the discriminating vintage home owner with matters relating to Historic-Cultural Monument Application, Mills Act Application, creating your own Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, chain of title research, historic building permits, and all other historic preservation efforts. For more information about Charlie, read his curriculum vitae. Charlie has written and/or researched and advocated numerous successful nominations. Find his full list here.

Residential properties within a historic district must obtain the approval of the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB), or similar entity, prior to proceeding with window retrofit or modification. The QUANTAPANEL Architectural Low-e Storm Window has been reviewed and approved by a number of such entities throughout the U.S. for use on properties within their designated district. The addition of storm windows does not alter the original window in any way, a fundamental requirement of most HARB’s. Historic property owners now have options. The QUANTAPANEL Insulating Glass System can be installed on the exterior in a color and style that is consistent with the original window. Optionally, the QUANTAPANEL System can be installed on the interior, providing a completely unobstructed view of the window from the outside, and nearly indistinguishable from the inside. In either case, the functional performance benefits desirable for comfortable living can be achieved.

For over 30 years, J.R. Coppersmythe, based in Harwich, MA, has provided quality handcrafted lighting. Our Signature Collection reflects the heritage of American craftsmanship and the practicality of colonial American design and ingenuity. Our Boston Collection of lighting harkens back to the oil-powered street lamps of Beacon Hill and Charlestown. Their warm and universal glow brings with it sounds of cobblestones, Christmas carolers, and the passions of the Revolution. The lights in our Onion Collection get their name from the shape of their globes -- either round or oval, with a root and stem. Their classic lines make them tasteful additions to any colonial, Cape Cod or coastal architecture. Our Country Tin Collection of rustic punched tin lighting is the perfect accent to any colonial home. Original patterns reflect the symbols of our heritage. We also offer a full line of hand-crafted Arts & Crafts lighting, as well as a variety of Lights for Small Spaces.

Slate And Copper Sales Co® offers the most complete range of copper products that add elegance and class to any home. We specialize in old world historic European profile half round gutter, different from modern American profile half round. Our seamless-weld downspout and “smooth” elbows, (no folds or crimps) deliver elegant, durable, high performing rainwater drainage. All of our Architectural copper designs, such as Cupolas, Finials, Leader-Heads, Dormer Vents and Historic Reproductions are fabricated to order right here in the USA. Our World Gutter System is the highest quality and most economical roof drainage system. With perfectly fitting pieces, the World Gutter System is also the easiest to install. This copper rain gutter system offers not only exceptional strength and durability, but absolute beauty and design. All of our gutter components are also available in zinc- a beautiful, less costly alternative to copper.

Atkinson-Noland & Associates, Inc. has provided structural engineering services including nondestructive testing and evaluation for federal, state, and private organizations since its founding in 1975. Atkinson-Noland & Associates offers services for masonry preservation from the planning phase through to the production of design documents and construction administration. Our staff includes specialists trained in evaluation and analysis from engineering and architectural backgrounds. Atkinson-Noland & Associates' structural evaluation services include detailed condition surveys, in-place structural testing, and laboratory material testing. Knowledge of masonry material properties allows our structural engineers to use the strength of the masonry in analysis and design, thus sparing owners the expense of unnecessary structural additions. Our approach to preservation is to use a detailed understanding of the materials and construction to offer solutions that protect historic structures while using their inherent strength to meet design objectives.

Webb & Company Architects offers design related services in architecture, historic renovation, land planning, site analysis and existing facility analysis. WCA provides superior quality and innovative design services. Our architectural firm approaches each project with enthusiasm for integrity, honesty, and inclusiveness of the Client and end users as an integral part of the design process. Although WCA is well known for our variety of local and regional commercial facilities, the firm has become increasingly noted for our experience in historic renovation projects. WCA is strongly committed to historic communities’ "Downtown Revitalization" in the adaptive re-use of existing historic buildings for today’s new use and occupancy. WCA approaches our clients’ unique needs of each different project by assembling a "Team" of architects, mechanical, electrical, civil and structural engineers with experience required to design your project.

The Windowmaker Company has been manufacturing custom wood windows for historical restoration projects for 30+ years. We pride ourselves for having approval from the toughest historical boards. If you are looking for a source for custom wood windows for your home, or if you are a member of the historical restoration community seeking replicated sashes for your custom wood windows, look no further! The Windowmaker Company provides a full range of double hung, casement, transoms, sidelights and one of a kind windows in all sizes and design variations which are all engineered to your specifications. Our windows are all over the country, from the Custom House in Key West, lighthouses, Union Chapel in Martha’s Vineyard, universities, yacht clubs, etc. Interested in windows that will last a life time and are historically approved? TRU-CLAD has been used on large projects such as the 100+ year old Italian Club in Tampa. We’d love to discuss this option with you.

At Architectural Elements, Inc., we are your one-stop source and resource for blocks, brackets, corbels and gingerbreads to enhance your interior or exterior. Our products are made of high-density synthetic materials, including Polyurethane, PVC, GFRC and more. Our low-to-no maintenance solutions will save you time and money for years to come. Our products will stand up to insects and the elements. They’ll never rot, shrink, warp, twist, check, peel or require repeat paintings. All of our products arrive primed and ready to paint, and your painted finish will last 25 years. Our blocks, brackets, corbels and gingerbreads come in thousands of dimensions and styles. If you don’t find what you need we can custom make it for you! Our products have been used on National Historic Registry projects. Whatever your project - new construction, remodeling, historic restoration, or just adding a decorative touch - we have the perfect piece to complete your own unique look.

Restoration Works, Inc. specializes in historic window, door, and architectural element restoration and preservation, nationwide. We have always been known for our attention to historic authenticity, superior quality and reliability, aesthetic sensibilities, use of cutting-edge glass technology, and pursuing green practices. For 30 years, we have worked to revolutionize the restoration and paint stripping/removal industry. Restoration Works, Inc. is America's first designed restoration facility. With 30,000 square feet, the shop holds milling, epoxy, and glazing departments, a spray booth, finishing department and a containment booth. We adhere strictly to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. We have always and will continue to preserve our nation's historic fabric, correctly, sustainably, and sensitively. Our goal and our purpose is to save beautiful, historic windows, doors and architectural elements using the highest standards in green technology and craftsmanship.