This Old Castle
Old home ownership is not for the faint of heart (trust us, we know!), but we're here to help!
We've teamed up with our friends at Nebraska State Historical Society and Preserve Omaha to bring you a series designed to demystify maintaining and preserving your old home or building. This Old Castle invites you to learn alongside us from the best experts in town.
We've expanded our offerings to include hands-on workshops and opportunities to explore the exciting preservation work happening in our region. Each quarter, we welcome you to join us for an expert lecture, a workshop, and an excursion!
A few notes for Architects:
We are thrilled to partner with AIA Nebraska to offer HSW CEU credit hours on most installments of the series.
Architects, check the individual listings on the events calendar for sessions offering continuing education prior to attending.
This material was produced with assistance from the Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior under Grant Number P23AF01076 and P24AF01925. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.
Upcoming Installments
May 10 from 9am to Noon: Wood Door Tune Up Workshop
Join us Saturday, May 10th from 9am-12pm in the Castle basement for a workshop centering around wood doors!
Preserve Omaha's The Jo(h)ns will lead us on a hands-on journey covering it all from nuts to bolts, hinges to knobs. We'll tackle:
-Hinge and Hardware striping
-Repairing locksets
-Fitting doors to existing frames
-“Stretching” doors that were cut too short
-Installing dutchmen in old hardware locations
Attendees will get to work on actual wood doors in the Castle's basement workshop. Registration is required and space is limited.
Past Installments
April 9 at 6pm: ADU FAQ's Panel Discussion
Join us Wednesday, April 9th at 6pm, for a panel discussion about all things ADU's!
What is an ADU? An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a small residence that shares a lot with a larger, primary dwelling. They can also be known as a granny flats, tiny houses, or even carriage houses in the case of the Joslyn Castle :)
The city permitting and construction around ADU's has changed recently and we've assembled the experts in the field to share developments, resources, history, and inspirations.
Our panel experts are:
Jeff Day, Actual Architecture Co.
Phillip Henderson, Build Your Fortress
Jed Moulton, City of Omaha
Jessica Scheuerman, Partners for Livable Omaha
Bring your questions for our panel as we learn together! This installment is approved for AIA CES credit.
March 8 at 2pm: Window Excursion to St. Cecilia Cathedral School
Join us Saturday, March 8th from 2pm-3pm for behind the scenes tour of a in-progress historic window restoration project at the St. Cecilia Cathedral School. Our tour will be led by the project lead, local window expert David White, owner of Aksarben Window Works, who will walk us through his process and answer our questions.
After our window restoration tour of the St. Cecilia Cathedral School, you're invited to an optional docent-led tour of the stunning Thomas Kimball-designed St. Cecilia Cathedral next door at 3pm.
This excursion has a limited capacity and registration is required.
We will meet at the front doors of the school, located at 3869 Webster St, Omaha, NE 68131.
This excursion is approved for AIA HSW CEU credits.
February 8: Windows Workshop
Due to popular demand, we are bringing back one of the most requested topics of the series: Windows!
Join us Saturday, February 8th from 9am-12pm for a hands-on workshop focusing on windows. We're thrilled to welcome back our friends the Jo(h)ns of Preserve Omaha and local window expert David White, owner of Aksarben Window Works, to lead us through the basics of repairing and maintaining your home's original windows. We'll learn to remove paint, glazing, and glass replacement. All registrants will receive the opportunity to work on a salvaged window and sash.
This is the first of a new format of our workshops, which will happen Saturday mornings for three hours. Drop in and drop out, and bring along your own window-related challenges to share with the group! We'll figure out a solution together :)
January 4: Lambrecht Glass Studio Excursion
For our January installment, we are excited to head down to Lambrecht Glass Studio for a special behind-the-scenes look at the facility and to check in on the progress of the restoration of the Joslyn Mausoleum stained glass window.
Prior to their deaths, the George and Sarah Joslyn commissioned a stunning art-glass window to be displayed in their Forest Lawn Cemetery mausoleum. This is a "sister" window to the piece that currently resides in the Joslyn Castle Music Room. In recent years, the mausoleum window sustained significant damage that required a total restoration.
Thankfully, Omaha is home to the talented Jenna Lambrecht, who is running her family business Lambrecht Glass Studio. Jenna and her team are in the midst of the restoration process on the window, and have allowed our This Old Castle group a rare peek at the process. While in the Lambrecht Glass workshop, you'll also get a chance to take a look at their other current projects and commissions, and ask your questions about maintenance and restoration of historic windows.
Attendees should wear good shoes and warm clothes. Due to space, capacity is limited and registration is required.
December 4: Masonry - Hands On from Building to Repairing
Continuing in our masonry theme, we invite you to roll up your sleeves and get to work in the basement of the Joslyn Castle! This is a great opportunity to experience first hand all the essential skills required for maintaining your brick home - from laying brick, to repairing brick!
We will meet at the basement entrance of the Castle on the North side of the property. We will be learning the techniques of laying, tuck pointing, and repairing brick.
The workshop will be led by a senior restoration mason Russ Hancock with Kehm Contractors, and The Jo(h)ns of Preserve Omaha.
Attendees should wear good shoes and work-ready clothing. Due to space, capacity is limited!
This Old Castle is presented in partnership with Preserve Omaha and the Nebraska State Historical Society.
This installment is eligible for Nebraska Real Estate Commission CEUs.
Nov. 6: Masonry in Practice - Yates Elementary Excursion
Continuing in our masonry theme, we invite you to join us on an excursion to the historic Yates Elementary School building to observe historic masonry in the wild and witness a live demonstration of the tuckpointing technique we learned at the October This Old Castle lecture!
We’ll meet on the front steps of Yates for a brief history of the building and its new use by Yates Illuminates. Then we’ll examine the perimeter of the building, identifying types of masonry and issues with an expert mason from Kehm Contractors. Next, we will travel to the basement of the building for an interior masonry tour and a live demonstration of tuckpointing.
The excursion will be led by a senior restoration mason with Kehm Contractors, and Senior Architect Sheila J. Ireland, AIA, with Leo A Daly. Yates address is 3260 Davenport Street, Omaha, NE 68131.
The Yates Elementary School building was built in 1916 and designed by the Castle’s architect John McDonald. After serving as an elementary school for decades, today the Yates building is home to Yates Illuminates, a non-profit organization that hosts over a dozen local organizations that provide educational, creative, and expressive opportunities for our diverse community. This excursion is presented in partnership with our neighbors at Yates Illuminates.
This is a rain or shine presentation and space is very limited! Attendees should wear good shoes and work-ready clothing.
This Old Castle is presented in partnership with Preserve Omaha and the Nebraska State Historical Society.
This installment is eligible for Nebraska Real Estate Commission CEUs.
October 2: Masonry Matters - The Basics of Brick
Join us Wednesday, October 2nd at 6pm, for a lecture and discussion about all things brick! Shawn Kolterman, owner of a circa 1910 brick home and Vice President of Kehm Contractors, will cover the types of bricks, mortars and exterior wall assemblies typically found in older buildings.
After this session, attendees will be able to:
1. Describe the different types of wall assemblies typically found in older buildings and how those assemblies differ in the way they manage moisture.
2. Define the different types of brick resulting from clays, shaping and firing processes, including how these processes have evolved throughout time, and how the resulting brick is suitable for differing uses. Give examples of appropriate uses of these types.
3. Explain the different types of mortar and how to choose the correct type based on the type and function of the brick.
4. Describe typical old-building maintenance and repair issues, including repointing, and how to address them.
5. Discuss the dos and don'ts of masonry repair and maintenance.
Bring your questions for Shawn!
About Shawn Kolterman:
Shawn Kolterman grew up in Blair, NE and graduated from high school there when U2’s The Joshua Tree was atop the music charts. A few years later, he graduated from Colorado State University and spent the next twelve years or so hiking, working in the financial services industry, skiing, and cultivating his appreciation of fine tequila. Eventually, the Rocky Mountains were in the rearview mirror when he returned to Nebraska to marry the love of his life. Together, they chase around five lively daughters, run the family business, KEHM CONTRACTORS, INC: Commercial Masonry & Restoration, look after several dogs, argue about politics, labor as the current stewards of their circa-1910 brick house, and patronize some of Omaha’s fine dining establishments on date night. Check out www.foxysushi.com for their latest adventure. Shawn currently serves on the local board of the Entrepreneurs Organization and is president of the Nebraska Masonry Alliance.
This installment qualifies for Nebraska Real Estate Commission Realtor CEUs and has been submitted for AIA CES credit.
September 7 at 1pm - Excursion: Canopy South's Impact Area
Join us Saturday, September 7, for a very special adventure to South Omaha's Canopy South Impact Area. We will be touring two historic structures that are in the process of adaptive reuse under the direction of our friends at Canopy South, a 501(3)c organization investing in the people and places of South Omaha.
First, we'll get a behind-the-scenes tour of the last standing building of the former Jetter's Brewing complex, which is being remodeled into the new Canopy South administrative offices. Next, we'll travel to the former Kunold Funeral Chapel, which is being rehabilitated to serve South Omaha's residents.
We'll meet at the Jetter Brewery building (3031 Upland Parkway) at 1pm to start our tour.
August 7 at 6pm - Workshop: Drywall
Join us for our 3rd quarter workshop where we'll get to work hanging drywall! We'll head down to the Castle's basement for a special hands-on demonstration. As with all of our workshops, attendees can plan on leaving with some tools to take home to their own projects.
Our workshop leaders are Preserve Omaha's The Jo(h)ns. The best in town! Bring your questions for our experts and be prepared to roll up your sleeves.
July 3 at 6pm - Lecture/Panel: Buying, Selling, & Inspecting Old Homes
Join us for a presentation and panel discussion about all things buying, selling, and inspecting an old home. There are special considerations to be taken when begininning this process, and our experts are here to help!
Annika Phillips is an old home enthusiast and a realtor with Old Omaha Vintage Real Estate Team at Better Homes and Gardens. Matt Baker is the owner of Hunter Home Inspections, an Omaha-based home inspection business with a specialty for older homes.
This is a great opportunity to learn from the pros.
April 3 at 6pm - Lecture: Electrical
We are thrilled to welcome Al Arett an electrician with Downs Electric, a full service electrical contractor providing all phases of design-build, new, and remodel work. Al has over 30 years of experience in the electrical field primarily as a project manager and working as a foreman, estimator, and superintendent.
The lecture will cover the various forms of power generation utilized in the US power grid. Al will describe how the electrical power is transmitted and how the power is distributed in the end user facility, and he will provide a cursory explanation of electrical power measurements amps, watts, voltage etc. Homeowners will leave being able to identify common factors that lead to electrical failures and how to avoid them.
This course is eligible for AIA HSW CEU's and Nebraska Real Estate Commission CEU's.
May 1 at 6pm - Workshop: Windows
Join us in the Castle basement for a hands-on workshop focusing on windows. We're thrilled to welcome back our friends John Brennan and Jon Krainak, board members with Preserve Omaha, to lead us through the basics of repairing and maintaining your original windows. All registrants will receive a set of equipment and the opportunity to work on a salvedged window and sash. Attendees will take their tools home with them.
This workshop has a limited capacity and registration is required.
Saturday, June 8 at 1:30pm - Excursion: Nebraska State Capitol Building
SOLD OUT
To the capitol we go!
This Old Castle is excited to annouce our next excursion will be to Lincoln! Join Joslyn Castle & Gardens, Preserve Omaha, and History Nebraska for a rare behind-the-scenes tour of the rennovations happening in our historic Nebraska State Capitol Building.
Our tour will be led by architect Dan Worth, FAIA, FAPT, Principal Emeritus and Project Manager from BVH Architecture, who has worked extensively on the capitol building's exterior restoration and the ongoing interior restoration and HVAC replacement. He will be joined by Paul Bauman, PE, Lead Mechanical Engineer from Alvine Engineering.
This is a unique opportunity to see the active progress on the restoration.
Due to capacity limitations, registration is required. We will meet at the ground floor information desk. Guests are responsible for their own transportation.
More about Dan Worth via BVH Architecture:
"Dan attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the Architectural Association in London where he graduated with degrees in architecture and urban planning. Dan joined BVH in 1984 in the Omaha studio and moved to the Lincoln studio in 1993, which he managed for more than 15 years, helping it grow, thrive, and double in size and commissions.
Dan’s passion for historic preservation runs deep and has helped define an illustrious career. He has been a catalyst for the preservation of historically meaningful buildings throughout the Plains States, the importance and value of whose architectural heritage was previously unappreciated. Dan’s dedication to disseminating technical expertise and establishing best practices has significantly elevated the standards of historic preservation nationally and internationally.
Dan has led the planning, programming, and design of 26 National Historic Landmarks, including the National Air and Space Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, the Natural History Museum, and the Cooper-Hewitt Museum for the Smithsonian Institution. He also designed and oversaw the 15-year-long exterior restoration program for the Nebraska State Capitol. His current work includes the iconic Gateway Arch, recipient of a Getty Foundation grant for restoration."
March 9 at 1pm - Excursion: Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte Center in Walthill, NE
//SOLD OUT//In March, we're excited to get hit the road for our first ever This Old Castle excursion! Join us as we get an exclusive hardhat tour of the in-progress interior restoration of the Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte Center. Our tour will be led by Picotte Center board member and BVH architect Gary Bowen.
The center is currently in Phase III of a total restoration. From their website: "Phase III work will include restoration of the building interior to accommodate a medical clinic, mental health and substance abuse clinic, youth programing, historical museum, as well as cultural and educational spaces. This phase will also include development of the site for parking, outdoor activities such as an amphitheater, community gardens, and Native American features."
The Center is not currently open to the public and this is an active construction zone, so plan to dress accordingly. This is a unique opportunity to see the progress on the restoration.
Due to capacity limitations, registration is required. The tour will begin at the center in Walthill, NE at 1pm with a second tour time at 2:30pm. Guests are responsible for their own transportation.
If you'd like to join us for a pre-tour lunch, we'll be meeting at "Master's Hand" Cafe at 3599 County Rd. F Tekamah, NE 68061 at 11:30am. This is a wonderful little bakery and coffee shop that offers a limited lunch menu.
February 7 at 6pm - Workshop: Tile
Join us February 7th for a hands-on workshop focusing on the art of laying tile. We're thrilled to welcome back our friends John Brennan and Jon Krainak of Preserve Omaha to lead us through the basics of tiling. All registrants will receive a set of equipment that we will use to lay our own tile demo. Attendees will take their tools and sample tile sets home with them.
This workshop has a limited capacity and registration is required.
About our speakers:
Jonathan Krainak
Jon is an Omaha native and a graduate of Central High School and UNO. He served in the US Army Reserve from 1988-1996. Today, he works as a technology professional including as a systems analyst and director. He is an assistant property manager of a 4-unit multi-family home. He currently serves on the board of directors for Preserve Omaha, a 501(c)3 non-profit with a mission to educate, advocate, and take action to save cultural and historic places.
John Brennan
John is an Omaha native and a graduate of Tech High (the last graduating class!). He earned his BS in Construction Engineering from Iowa State University and served in the US Navy from 1989-1993. He is the owner and property manager of a 4-unit multi-family home and has worked in the construction industry for decades. His work includes general contractor, architect's representative, owner's representative, and a facility manager. He currently serves on the board of directors for Preserve Omaha, a 501(c)3 non-profit with a mission to educate, advocate, and take action to save cultural and historic places.
January 3 at 6pm - Lecture: Plumbing
For our first installment in 2024, we are thrilled to welcome Mike Tritz, owner of Tritz Plumbing, a family-owned business since 1945. Mike will lead us through the fundamentals of maintenance and restoration of plumbing in old homes.
About Tritz Plumbing: Tritz Plumbing Inc has been performing a gamut of remodeling, repair and new construction plumbing services for residential, commercial and industrial projects. Francis Tritz, a skilled plumber and steam-fitter, established Francis E. Tritz Plumbing and Heating in 1945.
Initially, Francis established a small plumbing shop near downtown Omaha at 40th and Hamilton.
In 1975, Francis' two sons, Chuck and Bob, working as plumbers under their father, took the reigns of the business. Over the next 20 years, the business continued to serve the Greater Omaha community, providing both residential and commercial services. They specialize in remodeling and small to medium size construction projects.
