I’m new here and I’m no expert, but it’s clear that Mr Beck was REALLY REALLY sorry for his indiscretions and spared absolutely no expense on this apology.
My favorite old house features are back stairs, alcoves, and any little secret that a visitor would never suspect, like "hidden" rooms. Contemporary houses are no fun; they're just boxes to put yourself in when not working, and nothing's more boring that an "open floor plan."
Just wow! Found your channel tonight and now I eagerly await your next production. What a grand home you are privileged to own and restore. Love your choice of music too! What a labor of love you have embarked upon. Enjoy the journey.
I grew up in Fairfield and walked by this house often. It was my dream house and the inspiration for me to buy the house I live in in Centralia IL which looks very much like it! So fun to get to see the inside and happy you are restoring this beauty
You are so LUCKY to have found this amazing home with so many wonderful original features and it is so lucky to have you for its stewards. I’m so looking forward to seeing your next video.
I viewed this video earlier today and later on I saw a movie from 1945 called Scarlett Street starting Edward G. Robinson. In one scene, he was cleaning the kitchen table and you could see an ornate square toaster on that table and the cord was connected to the above light fixture, which he promptly disconnected. I enjoy watching these old movies and was surprised that I was able to see how an outlet on a fixture was used.
My 1913 model had steam heat too. The radiators were removed at some point. The shadow of the boiler remains on the basement floor as well as bits of the corresponding system components.
I realize these old homes need a lot of work, probably too much for me who can barely swing a hammer, but I just love their charm and history and kudos to you for being someone who can restore these beautiful old homes.
15:34 So wonderfully amazing that you 1) found this beautiful home and 2) inherited all the original items. A well cared for home. And now YOU are restoring its original beauty! ❤❤ (Makes me a little teary.)
What a gem, I'm hooked! I subscribed almost immediately. You're so lucky that nearly every original feature survived intact. Having to undo tasteless "modernizations" on a historic beauty like yours costs WAY more than maintaining/repairing/restoring what you have. I love the original stained glass windows and light fixtures too! Your beautifully embellished radiators provide dustless heat, a real plus. I remember having far less winter static electricity with radiator heat vs. modern forced air or electric baseboard heat. Did you find this to be true? Also, how old is your boiler, and what utility fuels it? You mentioned that your winter bills were cheaper than your old, smaller house. Iowa winters are brutal, and your ceilings are high, so I'm curious. Thanks for sharing your projects with us!
A beautiful, beautiful house and so pleased it has both of you to look after it, But ..What did Mr Beck have, that needed such a big powerful safe ? Thank you for sharing with us.
Thats another mystery. We know both Beck (Hotelier) and 2nd house owner (1913-1962) both lent money to locals. The original house before this belonged to the Judge in Fairfield and was torn down in 1892 by Mr. Beck and the dates on the safe are circa 1870
You can still have a central vacuum installed today! It is actually a very smart solution. Today, luckily, it turns on when you plug the hose in. It is great for people with allergies, because it actually removes all the dust from the rooms.
Beautiful home one suggestion is try and find some old house journals they were written by old house owners. The black and whites were the best. They were so useful when we were restoring our home
I am wondering if the safe was disassembled and brought down in pieces. Also I am a new sub and I loved the video! I laughed out loud several times thank you for the great content!
FANTASTIC house and great videos!! A few observations: It appears you have hot-water radiators, not steam radiators...the hot-water system that you apparently have, 12:03, has both an inlet and outlet pipe which would likely indicate a hot-water supply and return system, whereas a steam system usually has one supply pipe and an air valve to let the air exit as the radiator fills with steam; these often whistle/sputter as this occurs. Also, a hot-water system should have a small valve to manually bleed the air out with a key, to allow for full water capacity. I have lived with both types and this is my observation. Regarding the chandeliers, note at 15:16 one of the gas jets has been replaced with a Welsbach gas light, which would have had a mantle and glass chimney that would supply an incandescent light much brighter than the usual jet- and possibly more lumens than early light bulbs. Similar mantles are used on Coleman gas lanterns and Aladdin kerosene lamps today. One convention of portable oil lamps- of having a lamp in the center of a table- was a little tougher to emulate without an electric cord snaking over to the table from a wall outlet. The chandelier with the socket- 16:17- was a brilliant way to accomplish this without losing a light bulb. While the modern two pronged plug wasn't patented until 1921 and early electric appliances did have an Edison screw-in plug, same screw as the modern light bulb, it doesn't seem to me that one of the grander rooms of the house would have had an appliance used there, especially with the socket inconveniently out of reach. What was called a "drop-light" could have also been accomplished with a gasolier using a shepherd's crook attachment fitting over a gas jet and a rubber hose dropping to a portable gas light on the center table. Note in the illustration that follows- likely from the 50s ?- the couple is clearly displaced and under duress from the kitchen being painted. Behind her left elbow are the globe and light bulb removed from the dining room fixture to allow a "Y" tap to be screwed in to temporarily power the hot plate and coffee percolator, while the electric receptacle is tantalizingly in plain sight behind the painter- but not available! WELL...this got wordier than I though! I have collected and studied antique lighting devices since I was lad and sincerely admire your restoration efforts and all those lovely original fixtures. Ceiling fans were the first things I removed after buying my pre-war home. Subscribed and looking forward to more updates! 😃
Like many others in your audience, I find the background music distracting. It overtakes your narrative. I don't want to miss a word, so I've replayed partial episodes. Sadly, I won't always have time for that. Perhaps use the current music for your intro and exit only? If you feel music is a vital component of your content, could you please choose a softer, quieter tune of the era for the body of your videos? I submit this feedback respectfully. I admire the work that you put into making each episode fun and interesting.
I've been thinking the same thing, if you really like the music then use it for the beginning and then switch to softer music or nothing. Just feel its too much of same thing. But you are doing a good job otherwise. 😊
Great house and great videos . Keep taking us along for the ride, it will be a long one with ups and downs but always another project (ding) to do ,Love it.
14:50 -- So, theorhetically, the 'Gasolier' light would have had BOTH gas and electricity running through the same fixture. If that's true then are we to believe that the amount of light output would be double what we are seeing in the video? The reason I'm asking is because even through the video what you're showing us right now with just the electric lights only on it's still putting out a fair amount of bright light so it's hard from me to imagine that anybody would have ever needed more light than that.
@manuellubian5709 historically speaking I don't know how they were used for general lighting. I'd assume the gas was what most people were use to at the time and would've been a lot less light but electric would be used when you really wanted to impress and illuminate. But I'm no expert
I would never give a negative comment, so I hope you consider this constructive criticism. I love listening to the history of the house. Your home is beautiful. But the background music was terribly annoying and made listening hard. I can't wait for more on your beautiful house! Just less music please.
What a beautiful gem of a house! It is refreshing to see people who want to preserve history like you guys are.
I’m new here and I’m no expert, but it’s clear that Mr Beck was REALLY REALLY sorry for his indiscretions and spared absolutely no expense on this apology.
The house is like a time capsule--like no updates for 100 years. But clearly well cared for.
My favorite old house features are back stairs, alcoves, and any little secret that a visitor would never suspect, like "hidden" rooms. Contemporary houses are no fun; they're just boxes to put yourself in when not working, and nothing's more boring that an "open floor plan."
WOW!!! She's a beauty!!!!
I love the music.
The house is as lucky to have you, as you are to have it! Bravo!
Those light fixtures are amazing and gorgeous…so lucky to have them!
Just wow! Found your channel tonight and now I eagerly await your next production. What a grand home you are privileged to own and restore. Love your choice of music too! What a labor of love you have embarked upon. Enjoy the journey.
I think the music is great when there's no commentary and when there is commentary the gentleman speaks clearly to where you understand him.
I grew up in Fairfield and walked by this house often. It was my dream house and the inspiration for me to buy the house I live in in Centralia IL which looks very much like it! So fun to get to see the inside and happy you are restoring this beauty
I'm so glad you all found such a pretty house to love and care for. I'm not talented at fixing like you all but I love my old house! Take care.
You are so LUCKY to have found this amazing home with so many wonderful original features and it is so lucky to have you for its stewards. I’m so looking forward to seeing your next video.
I viewed this video earlier today and later on I saw a movie from 1945 called Scarlett Street starting Edward G. Robinson.
In one scene, he was cleaning the kitchen table and you could see an ornate square toaster on that table and the cord was connected to the above light fixture, which he promptly disconnected.
I enjoy watching these old movies and was surprised that I was able to see how an outlet on a fixture was used.
Everything is beautiful.
The house and you are wonderful! Many greetings from Germany! 😊❤
Wow this is so beautiful i am amazed
These old details are amazing! I lived in a house built in 1915 with steam radiator heat. It was wonderful in the winter!
My 1913 model had steam heat too. The radiators were removed at some point. The shadow of the boiler remains on the basement floor as well as bits of the corresponding system components.
I realize these old homes need a lot of work, probably too much for me who can barely swing a hammer, but I just love their charm and history and kudos to you for being someone who can restore these beautiful old homes.
Thank you for all the hard restoration work you are doing on this beautiful house! I'm in awe! ❤
Your channel is gonna BLOW UP!!! Your editing skills are so much fun.
15:34 So wonderfully amazing that you 1) found this beautiful home and 2) inherited all the original items.
A well cared for home. And now YOU are restoring its original beauty! ❤❤ (Makes me a little teary.)
Yes, you guys are amazing! I'm overwhelmingly JEALOUS !
I am green with envy. The house is an absolute stunner!
What a gem, I'm hooked! I subscribed almost immediately. You're so lucky that nearly every original feature survived intact. Having to undo tasteless "modernizations" on a historic beauty like yours costs WAY more than maintaining/repairing/restoring what you have. I love the original stained glass windows and light fixtures too! Your beautifully embellished radiators provide dustless heat, a real plus. I remember having far less winter static electricity with radiator heat vs. modern forced air or electric baseboard heat. Did you find this to be true? Also, how old is your boiler, and what utility fuels it? You mentioned that your winter bills were cheaper than your old, smaller house. Iowa winters are brutal, and your ceilings are high, so I'm curious. Thanks for sharing your projects with us!
Boiler was replaced In early 2000s and is gas
A beautiful, beautiful house and so pleased it has both of you to look after it, But ..What did Mr Beck have, that needed such a big powerful safe ? Thank you for sharing with us.
Thats another mystery. We know both Beck (Hotelier) and 2nd house owner (1913-1962) both lent money to locals. The original house before this belonged to the Judge in Fairfield and was torn down in 1892 by Mr. Beck and the dates on the safe are circa 1870
What a gem of a home. Fascinating to see so many original features have been preserved.
I really love your videos ! I hadn't gotten half way through and I Immediately subscribed !! 👍👍👍
Just beautiful.
New subscriber here. I am a lover of all things Victorian! Beautiful home!
Radiators are efficient and unlike forced air heat, keep dust to a minimum all over the home
You can still have a central vacuum installed today! It is actually a very smart solution. Today, luckily, it turns on when you plug the hose in. It is great for people with allergies, because it actually removes all the dust from the rooms.
Amazing features.
Beautiful home one suggestion is try and find some old house journals they were written by old house owners. The black and whites were the best. They were so useful when we were restoring our home
I am wondering if the safe was disassembled and brought down in pieces. Also I am a new sub and I loved the video! I laughed out loud several times thank you for the great content!
Fabulous!
FANTASTIC house and great videos!! A few observations: It appears you have hot-water radiators, not steam radiators...the hot-water system that you apparently have, 12:03, has both an inlet and outlet pipe which would likely indicate a hot-water supply and return system, whereas a steam system usually has one supply pipe and an air valve to let the air exit as the radiator fills with steam; these often whistle/sputter as this occurs. Also, a hot-water system should have a small valve to manually bleed the air out with a key, to allow for full water capacity. I have lived with both types and this is my observation.
Regarding the chandeliers, note at 15:16 one of the gas jets has been replaced with a Welsbach gas light, which would have had a mantle and glass chimney that would supply an incandescent light much brighter than the usual jet- and possibly more lumens than early light bulbs. Similar mantles are used on Coleman gas lanterns and Aladdin kerosene lamps today.
One convention of portable oil lamps- of having a lamp in the center of a table- was a little tougher to emulate without an electric cord snaking over to the table from a wall outlet. The chandelier with the socket- 16:17- was a brilliant way to accomplish this without losing a light bulb. While the modern two pronged plug wasn't patented until 1921 and early electric appliances did have an Edison screw-in plug, same screw as the modern light bulb,
it doesn't seem to me that one of the grander rooms of the house would have had an appliance used there, especially with the socket inconveniently out of reach.
What was called a "drop-light" could have also been accomplished with a gasolier using a shepherd's crook attachment fitting over a gas jet and a rubber hose dropping to a portable gas light on the center table.
Note in the illustration that follows- likely from the 50s ?- the couple is clearly displaced and under duress from the kitchen being painted. Behind her left elbow are the globe and light bulb removed from the dining room fixture to allow a "Y" tap to be screwed in to temporarily power the hot plate and coffee percolator, while the electric receptacle is tantalizingly in plain sight behind the painter- but not available!
WELL...this got wordier than I though! I have collected and studied antique lighting devices since I was lad and sincerely admire your restoration efforts and all those lovely original fixtures. Ceiling fans were the first things I removed after buying my pre-war home. Subscribed and looking forward to more updates!
😃
Love the house, it's gorgeous......
Like many others in your audience, I find the background music distracting. It overtakes your narrative. I don't want to miss a word, so I've replayed partial episodes. Sadly, I won't always have time for that. Perhaps use the current music for your intro and exit only? If you feel music is a vital component of your content, could you please choose a softer, quieter tune of the era for the body of your videos? I submit this feedback respectfully. I admire the work that you put into making each episode fun and interesting.
Yes still finding our footing and will be fixing those points moving forward
@@JamesABeckHouseWOW beautiful house! The detail that is still there is amazing and I like the music.
I've been thinking the same thing, if you really like the music then use it for the beginning and then switch to softer music or nothing. Just feel its too much of same thing. But you are doing a good job otherwise. 😊
Such a beautiful house! What a find!
Great house and great videos . Keep taking us along for the ride, it will be a long one with ups and downs but always another project (ding) to do ,Love it.
Please leave out the music the video's are interesting without the fluf!🙋🏼♀️🌷
WOW! Your home is amazing. Glad I found your channel.
What an awesome idea for using the vault drawers.
You guys have such a treasure trove of history there. Unbelievable!
Great video!
Thanks! Glad you like it
Beautiful home
I've seen new houses with "ice" doors. They are used to accept packages, dry cleaning and other things the homeowner has delivered.
I really enjoy the music! But the volume is too high with the speaking. What an amazing house in my home state
🎶 BTR thn Most!
All those gasoliers... you're missing your ceiling medallions! Any plans on replacing those?
There's no evidence they had medallions, but the ceiling (original) has a canvas like material that has been painted several times :(
Less music would be wonderful. 😊
14:50 -- So, theorhetically, the 'Gasolier' light would have had BOTH gas and electricity running through the same fixture. If that's true then are we to believe that the amount of light output would be double what we are seeing in the video?
The reason I'm asking is because even through the video what you're showing us right now with just the electric lights only on it's still putting out a fair amount of bright light so it's hard from me to imagine that anybody would have ever needed more light than that.
@manuellubian5709 historically speaking I don't know how they were used for general lighting. I'd assume the gas was what most people were use to at the time and would've been a lot less light but electric would be used when you really wanted to impress and illuminate. But I'm no expert
Can you tour your home?
I would never give a negative comment, so I hope you consider this constructive criticism. I love listening to the history of the house. Your home is beautiful. But the background music was terribly annoying and made listening hard. I can't wait for more on your beautiful house! Just less music please.
Ditto! I'm done at 8 minutes.
Agreed!!!
If you can't say something nice..
😊
Just turn Subtitles ON & turn the VOLUME down 😊 Easy peasy moving on. Have a blessed day ALL 🙏 😇💙
I enjoyed the music, but the volume could have been lower. That would probably be a good compromise.
Please give us a tour. Bits and pieces don’t really work for me.
@khanysafan1705 we are working on a full walk thru tour video and up to add it to the channel soon. Stay tooned...
I live your channel. But Please stop putting music in your videos when i'm trying listen to you
Won’t be watching, horrible music 🤮
Don’t need that terrible music 🤮