This Old House Season 3 Episode 2 The Woburn House - 2

This Old House season 3 episode 2, titled The Woburn House - 2, follows the show's team of experts as they continue their restoration project of a beautiful 1730s-era home in Woburn, Massachusetts. In this episode, the team focuses on the home's exterior and landscaping.

The episode starts with host Bob Vila introducing the project and the team's plans to restore the home's façade to its original state. The team explains that they will be removing the vinyl siding that was added in the 1950s and restoring the original clapboard siding underneath. They will also be repairing any damaged wood and replacing any missing pieces.

The crew gets to work, carefully removing the vinyl siding and revealing the original clapboard underneath. They immediately notice that the wood is in much better shape than they had anticipated, which is good news for the restoration project. They begin repairing and replacing any damaged or missing pieces of the clapboard, using techniques that are in line with the home's original construction methods.

Meanwhile, landscaping expert Roger Cook starts working on the home's yard. He explains that the goal is to create a garden that would have been typical of the time period in which the home was built. This means using plants that are native to the area and were commonly grown in the 1700s. Roger begins by clearing out some of the overgrown shrubs and trees that are on the property.

As work continues, the team also addresses some unexpected challenges. For example, they discover that the home's chimney is in need of repair, so they bring in a chimney expert to assess the situation and make any necessary fixes. Additionally, they discover that some of the wood supports under the home are rotting, so they begin replacing those as well.

Throughout the episode, the team also gives viewers a glimpse into the historical significance of the Woburn House. They explain that the home was built by a wealthy farmer in the early 1700s and was occupied by his family for many generations. Over time, the home fell into disrepair and was eventually abandoned. In the 1950s, a well-meaning but misguided owner added the vinyl siding, which hid the historic clapboard underneath. The team hopes that their restoration effort will bring the home back to its former glory and preserve its history for future generations.

As the episode comes to a close, the team has made significant progress on both the home's exterior and landscaping. The new gardens are taking shape, and the home's original clapboard siding is once again visible. The team shares their excitement about the progress they've made so far and looks forward to continuing the restoration effort in future episodes. Viewers are left with a sense of anticipation for what's to come as the team works to bring the Woburn House back to life.