Before & After: How Renovated Historic Buildings Get a Second Life Through Tourism

Have you ever walked past an old, weathered house and wondered about the stories trapped inside its walls? There’s something undeniably captivating about historic buildings, but time is rarely kind to them. That’s exactly why giving these structures a second life through tourism is so important. 

By transforming them into living museums and guided tour stops, we aren’t just enjoying fun weekend activities; we are actively engaging in essential historical and cultural preservation. Breathing life back into these spaces takes a lot of care, like meticulous landscaping, intense deep cleaning, and carefully replacing decaying features. But the payoff is absolutely worth it! 

Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA. Copyright by US Ghost Adventures.

Grab a cup of coffee, and let’s dive into exactly why saving these historic spaces matters so much.

5 Ways Renovated Historic Buildings are Renewed

1. The Buildings are Saved

Let’s be honest: it is incredibly hard for old buildings to age well. Without modern building materials and consistent, dedicated upkeep, historic structures are highly vulnerable to the elements. Oftentimes, they deteriorate rapidly and face devastating problems like insidious wood rot, shifting foundations, and severe weather damage that can compromise the entire structure. If left abandoned, they eventually crumble.

But when historic buildings are renovated properly, these incredible pieces of architecture are literally saved. This physical preservation, in turn, protects the rich history involved with the site too. 

US Ghost Adventures is deeply passionate about saving historic buildings. Take the infamous Lizzie Borden House in Massachusetts, for example. Over the decades, it required significant intervention to combat natural aging and decay. By addressing structural vulnerabilities and ensuring the home was stabilized against the harsh New England weather, US Ghost Adventures rescued the physical house from ruin. 

When we fortify the walls and repair the damage, we ensure the building stands strong for generations to come.

2. History is Properly Preserved

Villisca Ax Murder House in Villisca, IA. Copyright by US Ghost Adventures.

While saving the physical structure is of the utmost importance, there’s another equally important aspect of this topic: preserving history itself. 

When historic buildings are meticulously renovated, so are their stories. You aren’t just putting on a fresh coat of paint; you are dusting off the narratives of the people who lived, loved, and sometimes suffered there.

This is especially true when companies like US Ghost Adventures work tirelessly to properly preserve the authentic stories of a location. A poignant example of this is how US Ghost Adventures preserved the notorious Villisca Axe Murder House. It would be easy for a site with such a dark past to become a cheap thrill, but instead, they approached it with profound respect. 

Today, they use the space to authentically tell the history of the Moore family. By maintaining the integrity of the home, they honor the memories of those who perished there, ensuring they are never forgotten by the passage of time.

3. Small Towns Experience a Tourism Boom

Beyond the buildings themselves, there’s a massive ripple effect that happens when a historic site is restored. Renovated historic buildings actively encourage tourists to visit, which gives small towns a much-needed tourism boom. When people travel to see these sites, they also eat at local diners, sleep in nearby hotels, and shop at local boutiques. This helps local businesses thrive in a tangible way.

We can see this perfectly illustrated in Fall River, Massachusetts. The Lizzie Borden house, and the engaging events hosted there by US Ghost Adventures, have breathed fresh life into the local economy. In fact, Fall River’s focus on cultural and historical tourism has yielded some impressive statistics:

• Approximately 35.7% of visitors travel from locations more than an hour away, proving these historic sites are true destination magnets.
• In 2022, Fall River collected $1,626,962 in meals tax, representing a massive 524% increase since 2012.
• The city captures substantial retail sales from non-residents, directly fueled by visitors looking for historical experiences.

4. Honors the Local Heritage

Restoring historic buildings allows local heritage to be honored on a grand scale. Every town has its own unique history, and these buildings serve as the physical monuments to that local identity. This is a widespread and universal benefit from renovating historic structures, whether they are in a bustling city or a quiet rural community.

Let’s look at the stunning McInteer Villa as a prime example. 

Recently acquired by US Ghost Adventures, they are stepping in to carefully renovate this architectural gem. But this project is about so much more than just fixing up an old house. The renovation will allow them to preserve the various, deeply layered stories within its walls. Most importantly, it will serve as a prominent place of Irish pride, honoring its first owner and the immigrant experience in that region. It’s a beautiful reminder that our local heritage is worth fighting for.

5. Artifacts are On Display

Jennie Wade Birthplace House in Gettysburg, PA. Copyright by US Ghost Adventures.

Once historic buildings are structurally restored, companies like US Ghost Adventures work exceptionally hard to preserve the interior spaces, and that includes the precious artifacts left behind. This is crucial because, once complete, the space is open to the public, allowing tourists to appreciate history in the actual spaces where it occurred.

A breathtaking example of this is the Jennie Wade Birthplace House which contains authentic, meticulously preserved Civil-War artifacts. Visitors can walk the halls and see tangible pieces of the past right in front of them. US Ghost Adventures’ incredible level of preservation honors the courageous, unbreakable spirit of the soldiers who fought, as well as the lasting memory of Jennie Wade herself. It transforms a simple history lesson into an immersive and emotional experience.

Before and After: The Magic of Renovation

The true magic of this process is best seen in the “Before and After.” Over the years, targeted renovations have literally saved some of our most treasured historic locations, with the main focus always being on restoring historical accuracy and improving the building’s overall longevity.

For instance, a significant leak was found in the Lizzie Borden House, but US Ghost Adventures quickly stepped in and fixed it by replacing the failing roof and carefully repairing the damaged interior walls. This stopped the rot in its tracks and saved the rooms below. 

Now, they are bringing that same level of dedication to the McInteer Villa in Atchison, Kansas. The team is fully prepared to restore the elements of this majestic property and honor the legacy of the Villa next.

Renovations that Often Occur

While every historic property is unique, here are some renovations that often occur:

• Paint jobs
• Deep cleaning
• Replacing roofs
• Proper landscaping
• Restoring original features
• Replacing decaying wallpaper
• Sanding original wooden floors

Once these extensive renovations are complete, the team at US Ghost Adventures includes heartfelt memorials to the prior residents, especially if the site was touched by a profound tragedy, like the solemn tributes found at the Villisca Axe Murder House.

Tourism’s Positive Impact on Historical Buildings

From rescuing decaying structures to creating massive tourism booms for small towns, restoring historic buildings offers a spectacular second life for these spaces. Most importantly, it ensures that local heritage and powerful stories are preserved for generations to come. 

Are you ready to step back in time? If you want to experience a historical building yourself, then these are the sites to visit (with many of them offering fantastic public tours!):

• Brickhouse Inn in Gettysburg, PA
• Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA
• Villisca Axe Murder House in Villisca, IA
• Jennie Wade Birthplace House in Gettysburg, PA
• McInteer Villa (this one is new) in Atchison, KS