A recent post on r/centuryhomes offered a heartfelt glimpse into the early days of reviving Old Oaks Farm—a 150-year-old brick home in Guthrie, Kentucky. After sitting untouched since its longtime owner passed in 2022, the property is finally stirring with life. Now filled with boxes and chaos, the house is undergoing a slow but determined comeback. With its 1867 Greek Revival mansion, a hand-dug stone well, and quadruple-thick brick walls, the home brims with character—even as it begs for extensive repairs. From leaky soffits to a poorly converted smokehouse apartment, the list is long, but the new owners are smitten.

A Home in Need of TLC

Originally built around 1875, the home is impressively constructed—its inner and outer walls are each four bricks deep, making it naturally cool even in 90-degree summer heat. However, years of neglect have taken their toll despite this strength. The house currently lacks central A/C, relying instead on 10 poorly installed mini-splits. Soffits and gutters are damaged or missing, and the downspouts have vanished. The new owners are focused on stabilizing the exterior and preventing further damage, working from the outside in.

Heating a Historic House

When asked about the home’s heating setup, the owner explained: “There’s a boiler and radiators throughout, currently disabled but reportedly still functional. Every room has a fireplace—most on the ground floor now run gas logs. We found the upstairs gas kits in the garage; the previous owner didn’t get around to installing them.

The mini-splits help, but on very cold days, we rely on the fireplaces too.” The layered system of old and new—fireplaces, radiators, and ductless units—paints a portrait of evolving comfort, and sparked nostalgic reactions online.

The Smokehouse Apartment: Flawed but Fragrant

One of the most unusual features is a smokehouse-turned-apartment, connected to the main structure. The roofline—angled into a V with no outward slope—frequently collects debris and leaks. Inside, it’s a mess: plumbing issues, structural flaws, and questionable permitting. But not all is lost.

The original smokehouse entrance still smells faintly of ham, a charming (and delicious) reminder of the home’s agricultural roots.

A Restoration Journey Begins

Old Oaks Farm is more than just a fixer-upper—it’s a piece of living history. From its impressive masonry to its quirky smokehouse apartment, the home offers both challenge and charm.

As the new owners prioritize urgent repairs and begin planning long-term restoration, they’re doing more than fixing a roof or patching bricks—they’re preserving a legacy. The r/centuryhomes community is reminded by their journey that even houses with sagging soffits and complicated histories are worthy of a second chance.