Josh Jakob Architecture

05/12/2026

05/12/2026

Mansard Monday ~ A Complex Concave Mansard Roof in Cape May, NJ.

Built in 1881 for Douglas Gregory, a Delaware River pilot, as a family home. He paid $3500 for the land and about $4000 for the construction of the house. It sits on the former site of the Columbia Hotel, which burned in the Cape May fire of 1878. Since 1981, it has been operated as The Queen Victoria bed and breakfast inn.

The Mansard roof is the defining feature of a Second Empire style. Typically called a French roof in the U.S. during the 19th century, it was popular during a period when all things French were "en vogue" for fashionable middle- and upper-class Americans.

Second Empire buildings are essentially Italianate in style from the eave line down, but their roof gives them a different identity. The style was used for everything from small wood-framed houses like this to grand towered mansions and public buildings in brick and stone. Mansard roofs were originally clad in slate or wood shingle, sometimes in patterns like the fish scale shaped wood shingles on this roof.

Second Empire is one of 25 styles and types described and illustrated in Chapter 2 of "Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners." Homes from more than 22 states are included.

Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.

Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors, including the classic "A Field Guide to American Houses" by Virginia McAlester. Save on cost and shipping with our multi-book combo packs!

"Restoring Your Historic House is also available in bookstores nationwide and from online retailers.

© Scott T. Hanson 2026.

05/10/2026

"Before & After ~ The Rebirth of "Yeller"

I met Britt and Keith at my first book signing event for "Restoring Your Historic House" just before Christmas in 2019. They told me about their project house, nicknamed "Old Yeller," and bought a copy of the book. "Yeller" is just a couple towns upriver from where I live, so was able to follow along with their progress through completion last year.

I am happy to be able to share the before and after of "Old Yeller." The c. 1870 Italianate style home was in rough shape when Britt and Keith bought it. It had been vacant and abandoned, leading to vandalism and deterioration. It was trashed. Keith was told he should tear it down and put in a modular home. Fortunately, they saw through the piles of junk, damage, and vandalism to recognize the inherent quality and character of the house.

Nearly all the original interior finishes were repaired and preserved - plaster, trim, floors - while all new electrical, plumbing, and HVAC were put in. Original windows and doors were rehabbed and kept along with exterior trim and siding.

Although the house was rehabbed with the intent to resell, the eight-year project was in no way a "flip." Flips are fast and cheap, with all the quality that'll get you (not much). This has been a labor of love and respect for the history and character of the house. The new owners are very lucky to have it!

I wrote "Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners" to give people a one-stop, go-to source for information on all historic house rehab and restoration aspects. It is gratifying to know Britt and Keith's copy of the book has been well used.

Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.

Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors.

© Scott T. Hanson 2026.

05/07/2026

A man stands in front of a wall with a bunch of bill poster flyers on St. Marks Place, Between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, East Village, New York City in 1982.
Photo by Lynda Ackerman.

05/07/2026

05/05/2026

05/03/2026

Patrons form line outside Ralph's Homemade Ice Cream stand in Port Richmond as the temperature headed into the 90s, May 1986. (Advance/SILive.com | Shirley Gumbs)

04/22/2026

- April 22, 1970: New Dorp High School students dig car out of beach sand on Earth Day. (Advance/SILive.com | Tony Carannante)