This Old House – September 2019

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#6 Newton

SEASON 2 • 1981

The condo conversion of this rambling 1886 Shingle-style house

(a.k.a. the Bigelow House, for its original owner) nabbed sixth place.

“Both Dorchester and Bigelow were great, because we got to watch

This Old House being invented. But I chose Bigelow because the scope

was so ambitious, with this beautiful historical home going from ruins

to restoration.” —MARGARET, VIA THISOLDHOUSE.COM

“I loved the idea of repurposing the old Bigelow place. It’s a way of

keeping history alive.” —TAMMY MINN, RIVERSIDE, CA

“I chose the Newton/Bigelow project for a few reasons. It was the first

season of This Old House that I viewed, and I’m a fan of H. H.

Richardson’s architecture. And I enjoyed the restoration and

repurposing of such a historic home, especially one that was as large

and challenging as it was to begin with.” —DAVID, VIA INSIDER

#4 Detroit

SEASON 38 • 2017

The 1939 brick home was a charmer, but for

many fans, this season wasn’t just about the

house. You valued the homeowners’ hard work,

the community that came together to help, and

the rejuvenation of a great American city.

“My favorite project was Detroit, because people

just started showing up and helping.”

—ZACHARY KEAGLE, MONTICELLO, IL

“I really appreciated the time y’all spent in a city

with such great housing stock, featuring programs

that help get people into the homes, and the

graciousness of all the cast and crew!”

—CARL, VIA INSIDER

“I loved how with this project, you helped to bring to

light the changes taking place in an almost-

forgotten city.” —DANIEL, VIA THISOLDHOUSE.COM

#5 Billerica

SEASON 21 • 1999

No. 5 was a sentimental favorite—you were touched as the This

Old House family came together to build a new home for Dick and

Sandy Silva after a catastrophic fire.

“If I had to pick one it would be Dick Silva’s home rebuild after the fire in

1999. It really became personal as everybody pitched in. It was a TOH

family disaster, and we viewers really felt for the family.”

—BOB HAYNES, MOODY, AL

“I loved the Billerica House. Not only is it a fine house, but it was special

since they were building it for Tommy’s brother, who’d just been

through a fire. You could tell they were all trying extra-hard to give their

coworker and relative a great new home.” —CHRIS, VIA INSIDER

“I loved watching you do something wonderful for Dickie. It was sad, but

with a happy ending.” —GARY ADAM SR., WINSTON-SALEM, NC

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