We were recently in Milwaukee visiting our friends Jeremy and Michelle, who just bought an early 1900′s victorian home in the Historic Concordia neighborhood of Milwaukee. They proceeded to gut every room to the studs, except one bedroom and one bathroom…and then they moved in! It was a little overwhelming to walk into their new house and not see any walls, but over the course of only a few hours we met several of their neighbors, saw the plans their architect (also a neighbor) had drawn up and suddenly the project seemed like it was doable.
Detail Shots from Jeremy and Michelle's House
Seriously, gutted to the studs
Jeremy told me that upon pulling up with a U-Haul containing most of their belogings, no less than 5 neighbors showed up to help them unload. Other neighbors have helped out with the demolition, given recommendations for contractors and carpenters, invited them over for meals, helped Jeremy assemble a new gas grill and otherwise provided support with one hell of a remodeling project.
In the early 1900′s, Historic Concordia was one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Milwaukee, but by the 1950′s and 60′s many of the houses started to be neglected and the demographics of the neighborhood shifted. Historic Concordia, however, is enjoying a revival fueled by people like Jeremy and Michelle and all of their neighbors that went before them who took on the task of lovingly restoring an old home to its former glory. From our short visit to Historic Concordia it appeared to us that the appeal of this neighborhood is as much about the neighbors as it is the beautiful old houses.
Arnie and Marie's Award Winning Garage
View from the top floor of Arnie and Marie's Garage
Our trip to Milwaukee made us (me) realize that the little projects around our house are really no big deal in comparison, and it inspired us to to reach out to the people around us and be better neighbors, Historic Concordia style.
Wow. That’s a good looking house and a wicked-big project!