Schoolhouse of 1909 FULL tour walkthrough // Where we are at a year and a half into the project //

March of 2022, we sold everything we had and bought a 8,500 square foot, 4 classroom schoolhouse that was build in 1909.
We are turning it into our family home and event center for our community!
Check out how far we have come and subscribe for more videos of what we’re doing!
Insta : @schoolhouse.of.1909
Facebook : @schoolhouse.of.1909
TikTok : @schoolhouse.of.1909
Blog : www.schoolhouseof1909.com
#homeimprovement #schoolhouse #diy #michigan #puremichigan #oldhouserenovation #oldhouse

[@Seffferss]

It's so cool to see someone restore an old building like this and put so much care and attention to detail into the process

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Thanks so much!! 🙌🏻

[@bridgettemallory6868]

I wish a lot of cities across the country would restore old buildings and make them or preserve the material and make them housing for families I know the city I live in there just so quick to tear down because it is cheaper then to renovate but they don't seem to understand that ReStore the city Preserve it the history give it new life

[@melissapetersen8358]

Love how you’re keeping some of the original details while also making it modern. This is how a historical reno should be done!! 👏🏻👏🏻

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Thank you!! ☺

[@hetherpickwell5174]

When you guys showed us the attic, i immediately envisioned a completely open art studio, all the wood exposed..no walls at all

[@Turkeyfether]

It would be great if some families might have vintage pictures they could share of school children from years back.

[@nogames8982]

I live in a house that was built in 1900. I did some updating with it the last few years and the solid wood in this house is wonderful. They don't build them like this anymore.

[@ellenross5553]

What you’ve done so far is amazing! ❤ It’s wonderful how you are keeping the history of the school visible. All the natural sunlight from those tall windows is beautiful.

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Thank you so much!!

[@hollywheelis4718]

This is soooo cool! I love that y'all are keeping the old features as much as you can. You should put plexiglass or something over the newspaper wall to try to preserve it longer. That way it can be seen but not touched. I look forward to following your journey as you renovate!

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

That’s the plan!! 😍 we feel so lucky that we found as much as we did!

[@revdupartist9386]

I totally agree.

[@bibiijaz6238]

Doing all this with kids running underfoot! Much respect

[@cruzzindodge]

Knew a guy who did this but turned the whole downstairs into a garage second floor with living quarters and the 3rd floor was a full size basket ball court and sports area. Was pretty awesome with the old freight elevator and everything

[@markwitkop7022]

I imagine you will put ceiling fans in the rooms. Those are really tall rooms. Looks nice. In your bedroom area, that closet has enough room for 2 levels of closet. A small circle stair could go from down to up.

[@louisewest3282]

Wow absolutely incredible! Came across you guys somehow and decided to watch and I am now following your journey. Don’t see cool school houses like this in Australia, so this is so awesome watching you all incorporate the beauty of the school into the home and community centre.

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Thanks so much!! 🥰 We feel so lucky to be able to save this building!!

[@deborahingrim2168]

What a beautiful Home! Love your huge kitchen! I pray you be blessed greatly by God to complete your dream. Love the windows and your desire to SAVE this gorgeous place.

[@kelleebo1255]

LOVE all the big windows. Beautiful sunlight.

[@karengreen2437]

I love how you are incorporating the older things that you found or are designed into the school building-the truss upstairs, the chalkboard, the windows, the fireplace, and the doors. Love it! And the kitchen is amazing already. The pantry with the old door is wonderful. I also love the idea of having the event center downstairs-the entry doors are neat but the side windows are gorgeous. I love the of the flooring you are putting in there. The newspaper wall is an amazing find that I hope you will be able to preserve, maybe with plexiglass so everyone can stop and read it. I just love how you are working so hard to bring this old school back to life and are preserving its history while bringing it forward.

[@kennethstuckey7823]

Wow! When y'all finish the renovation of that school it is going to be magnificent. It is well thought out and will be a beautiful, spacious home and a highly sought after event center.

[@judypierce7028]

I absolutely love this awesome idea. I am a retired educator and, if younger, would like to do the same thing. Great work. Just beautiful.

[@heavenawilson7271]

Love how one can buy properties like this...Nice Price too.

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

right?! we feel so lucky!! 😍

[@sarahspray7775]

Love the hidden rooms! Mt favorite part of the schoolhouse before you bought it was the hidden bathroom 🪜🚽😅

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

😅😅 it took us so long to get through the building when we first bought it…so many secret rooms lol

[@CWengrovius1420]

So glad to see an old school building being put into a house for your family. Great to see it being used as a community gathering place is awesome too. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for restoring the rest of the old school building into something cool!

[@crogers3783]

very impressive home!!

[@cjsadman3750]

Thank you for saving a piece of history, and excellent idea to have a community center, to help offset the expenses! This is amazing!

[@Gjetson9509]

Amazing!!

[@shelleymalone2456]

Thank you for preserving what you can and for including a generous space for the community. It is going to be wonderful.

[@nativeamericanfeather9948]

Beautiful! Can't wait to see this finished. Love how you guys are keeping it original when you can. I live in a home built in 1830.History is a homes soul & gives it character to itself. It'll be fascinating for people to see its History as well making it a great experience going there. Many lives will be touched & be connected to this beautiful school home. Especially the memories that you & your children will create & cherish there that they will remember for the rest of their lives♡

[@madelinekammerer3402]

Can’t wait to see this all finished

[@AJ-ks9ef]

Wow! This video was recommended to me and after I watched it, I went back and watched your first 3 episodes. The amount of work you've done...the amount of vision you had...to see it through to the point it is now, and I know it's unfinished, but it is just phenomenal!!! Can't wait to see it when you finish!

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Thanks so much!!

[@susanwixom8978]

Can't wait to see the finished project!!

[@McBabe6119]

THAT KITCHEN. I honestly spend so much time in the kitchen and I’d love one that large!

[@pyradormom2287]

You are doing an amazing job. I am simply amazed at the difference from then to now. I can't wait to see it completely finished!

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Thanks so much!! 🥰

[@Stellaaa1989]

Following from Facebook, can’t wait to see when it’s all done! Amazing work ❤

[@awr2217]

Thank you for giving us a tour of your future amazing home. So much fun to watch.

[@c8lingrace]

I’m invested! Can’t wait to see the progress.

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@victoriarichardson1471]

How awesome and you guys are paying homage to the school and incorporating it into your new home. Thank you for restoring this school into your home.

[@KevinsHeaven]

Beautiful!

[@joannc147]

Wow! Love your commitment and passion! Live well in this cool space! 👍🏻

[@jmcdaniel1285]

This is AWESOME! Ive always dreamed of this and since ill never get to do it im so glad i can watch you guys make it happen! ❤️

[@amyegle9849]

I can’t wait to see it when it’s finished

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@304ssg]

Alot of work but so fascinating! Following all your social media pages, can’t wait to see the finished home/ community events center

[@jaymee76]

Wow! That's huge and so awesome for y'all to redo this. Good luck!

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Thanks so much!!

[@carrissarenninger4835]

I love the sound of the creaky floors ❤ yall are doing an amazing job. I cant wait to see it more finished. Its going to be beautiful!

[@barbaracarlson1331]

This will be so gorgeous when you finish! Best wishes!!

[@MrTwitch1999]

Amazing, looking forward to seeing the complete transformation.

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Thanks so much!! 🙌🏻

[@ermagerd2081]

I fell down a rabbit hole of school reno's, Your's is beautiful! Please update.

[@margaretrose8105]

What an amazing place...I love the windows in the kitchen and how you have kept features of the old school.

[@shellylavigne5913]

How cool is that!!!

[@melpaulsen3618]

Watching from Australia . This is going to look amazing when finished

[@SlayQueenJANNY]

Glad I happened upon your project so interesting

[@michellewright7138]

Watching this from Australia! I’ve always loved older buildings. U guys are doing a great job. I’m officially invested. ❤

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Amazing!! 🙌🏻😍 thanks for the encouragement!!

[@deboralintner6223]

Awesome! I’ve always wanted to live in an old school house.

[@monkilol9692]

Wow what an amazing opportunity! I followed you from a a Facebook reel and I’m so glad I did. Can’t wait to watch the journey.

[@ebonylewis1680]

It’s so amazing 🎉

[@DouglasFergen-pq9ru]

Wonderful job!

[@kathleenheck7910]

I came across a video of yours on another site, and I have to say that I applaud you two for everything you're doing and restoring that beautiful schoolhouse. I literally cannot wait to see what it looks like when you're done with it, it's going to be spectacular.

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Thanks so much!!

[@teddybear4020]

SO SO GLADE u r saving this buildin wow wow . very very GOOD

[@michigantoiletproductions1940]

My grandpa went to school as a kid in the 50s

[@CathyD1976]

Wow it's huge. 😍

[@oldmanvic]

You guys are awesome. That takes a lot of dedication n patience. Never mind about money.

[@missya3138]

So jealous .I want to own a old school house . Glad you guys are keeping some original stuff ,can’t wait to see it

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Thanks so much!! We feel so lucky to be able to save this building!!

[@libbylife7161]

Awesomeness 🤩😎

[@dearwhomever-life]

Was scrolling Facebook and came across a short video you posted so had to come and see the whole walk through! Now I’m hooked & subscribed! Excited to see the progress as you go along 😃

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Yay! Excited to have you following!

[@kandimarie4045]

This is genius !!! ❤❤❤

[@helenwise5424]

Just beautiful…

[@Ollies_Mama22]

I knew I recognized the school house! I lived in Dorr for a bit. Now I live about 30 minutes away. It’s awesome seeing it being loved!

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

So cool!! 🙌🏼

[@Snwlprdss]

Saw you on a short video on Fb and followed you there and here. Love watching the restoration of older buildings into homes. An idea for the chalkboards is to put them in the kids rooms and let them use them to boost their imagination. If I could paint our walls with chalkboard paint for my 4yo grandson I would. Right now though we have pencil and crayon markings all over the walls and doors from him doodling.

[@cherriledbetter1120]

Great job

[@olivemades9540]

Love to see an update

[@catmamabrown7363]

That’s my dream to live in an old Schoolhouse!!!

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@davieboy1970]

That is going to be absolutely beautiful when it’s done. But one thing you’re missing is a patio somewhere where you could just sit and enjoy the sun and do barbecuing and stuff.

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

The exterior plans are on the list for next year! One thing at a time 😏

[@krishender]

Fantastic and fascinating....quite innovative, best of luck !

[@user-vs2cd3jk3i]

Wow !!! You have a lot of work ahead of you but, it will definitely be a labor of love for you and your community to have an event center.. people can rent the space for family parties and it helps you with the costs of electricity and heating… great idea… Good luck and I will continue to watch … From Annapolis, Maryland

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Thanks so much!! 🙌🏻

[@georgiavanhouten9360]

Wow very intriguing,I subbed ,Can’t wait to see the finished result

[@tjplusproductions]

Very cool! Get your rest. Tom

[@barbaracarlson1331]

Wow!!

[@rhinman]

If you do any events with open bar, have a rule not allowing shots. I work in the event business and it's very common. It will save you a ton of heartache with out of control drinkers. Trust me, it works.

[@jeremyoliviervoice]

I love this idea of renovating and keeping the schoolhouse in the community! I also watch Modustrial Maker, who is a guy in Chicago that renovated a warehouse. It is so exciting to see your journey and to see the finished product. Could we see some time lapse construction videos sometime? (those are fun to watch)

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Yes!! We have a lot more content on our instagram: @schoolhouse.of.1909

[@Michele-bm1zu]

If my husband said he wanted to do this, I would have thought he was absolutely crazy 😂 so glad you bought could envision the dream. Are you guys doing all the construction & repairs yourself? Do you own a construction company? And to do this all with a toddler is incredible! I love it

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Yes! We own and operate Better Home Improvements LLC in the Grand Rapids area and are raising three boys! We work on the business during the day and the building at night!

[@Ska50]

Enjoying following the progress! It’s going to be amazing! When do you anticipate it being completed?

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Thanks so much! We think we’re still a few years out yet before we’re completely done, but a few months away from taking a much needed break! 🙃

[@revdupartist9386]

The kids are adorable. 😁 What a beauty this is. It’s going to be wonderful when you are complete with it. The chimney you are putting back together, you didn’t show us the hearth. Is it in the basement? The ‘hidden’ space in the living room that’s up high…it’s kinda weird that a ladder is needed to access it…lol… Love the shop! The garage…it’s part of the building, yes? If it is it would really concern me about doing work above it before that’s fixed. 🫨 One suggestion…just in case you hadn’t thought about it… Before you do anymore work with the Event Space area, check with your local area laws. It may be that depending on ‘type of use’ and size there might be laws regarding the required number of bathrooms being at least two. When I saw you only say one the bells & whistles went off in my head. I know in my neck of woods there’d have to be at least two. There are lots of extra things to consider when officially has the public on private property, esp if it’s a business. (Where I am parking is even a deal.) It was great to see your place. I look forward to seeing it completed.

[@marcus1980]

Just a note should put some sound stopping material between the inside walls as well. As it will help with keeping the sound bleeding through to a min... but LOVE it will be amazing once all completed.

[@renerice5115]

I think this is Awesome! My only concern, what is the electric and heating bill going to look like?

[@katrinaneedy5765]

The wall of history amazing!! What are the plans to keep it intact for the future? So amazing how the papers are still so legible.

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

We are going to either epoxy over it or put some sort of plexi glass over it to preserve it!

[@katrinaneedy5765]

@@schoolhouse.of.1909 can’t wait to see your next update.

[@suedesignable]

I’m so impressed that a family purchased the school and is rehabbing it. Such charm it has and history. I don’t understand why towns don’t fix them up snd use them for the community but perhaps have several. It is so with massive and the height of ceilings and I’m wondering how you will be able to afford heating and cooling it????? Have you considered solar on the roof to help?? I certainly would not want the upkeep but I’m a lot older😂😂. God Bless you. I’m excited to see this as you continue on.

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Thanks so much! We have put a lot of research into purchasing the right systems to help with heating and cooling :) Solar is a good thought, but not as helpful in Michigan, with long winter months and short summers.

[@carolynstrecha2371]

Hope you preserve the newspaper wall ❤

[@kahliahmoller7897]

Found you on tiktok. Love this. Do you have a full video of how it was when you bought it. Im so invested now.

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

😂 yes! We were thinking about posting just a quick walkthrough of that! I’ll get working on it 😏

[@jamibeckham4544]

Love it!! Event center / home = tax write off.

[@joannatripp7831]

This is really wonderful what y'all are doing! You're doing such an amazing job! I was curious however, and you probably addressed this in later videos or something, but did you provide a place for y'all to have an actual garage since the building garage isn't working? Like a place to put your vehicles and outdoor stuff and things like that. I would imagine such a large building it would be easy but us not having a garage. We always think about that!

[@nancymcclain2533]

Just curious, How do you clean those windows?/ Well, I'm impressed!

[@susanburd4553]

I would clearcoat the newspaper wall

[@mhfl7514]

The creaky floors sound original. Are you keeping them? Is there anything that can be done about the sound?

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Yes they are original! There is probably things you could do, but we love it so we're keeping it! Adds to the old home charm ☺

[@angiek.4144]

Did you think about maybe putting plexiglass over the newspaper wall? If not, how do you plan to preserve it?

[@clovs9078]

wow! i really want to renovate an old school building into a home one day. Got an estimate on when you guys might (or plan) to be finished?

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

We feel so lucky to be able to do this! We are hoping to be done in the spring of 2024!

[@clovs9078]

@@schoolhouse.of.1909 ohh how exciting!

[@chikatoo]

What is with the white tile floor with writing you skipped right over that! Looks amazing

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

We took the original sign on the front of the building (School District No. 5) and are adding it in penny tile on the entrance of our future event center space! 🙌🏼

[@joelsiegel7382]

How are you guys handling HVAC for a unit that size? Any plans for landscaping?

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

We installed two HVAC systems, but honestly adding a new room, new insulation, new electrical and new windows did wonders for the space! We have light plans for the exterior, but mainly focused on the interior right now 🙂

[@zakiyasabur587]

My idea would be to make the chalk board into a table❤

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

😍😍

[@Prymaat]

I am loving the videos! Hello from Peru! 🇵🇪 I am so curious what is Jesse ethnicity is? :) thanks ❤

[@marynixon9362]

How is the plumbing

[@crystalcurrie2393]

What things do the community host their, and is that an income business, making it a place for the community to host things their? Or a free community place?

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

We are still working out all the details 🙂 More information coming soon!

[@carlaradke4066]

How tall are your ceilings?

[@amberweber877]

With 3 boys are you doing one room with 2 of them? Cause you mentioned it will be a 3 bedroom house?

[@schoolhouse.of.1909]

Yes for now! Once we get settled into the building, we plan to expand 🙂

[@lj0727]

Im just curious why you guys decided to make it 3 bedrooms only, when you already have 3 kids? Do you plan to add more rooms after? In my head while you were walking through the top floor i was picturing it as another 2 bedrooms off to each side with a playroom in the middle, and a bathroom. That way you would have the 3 bedrooms on the main floor, and 2 more up. 1 room each and a spare. Obvsiously thats what i would do lol and you guys are doing whatever you want.. its just how i pictured it in my head. Looking forward to watching you guys finish!! Good luck.

[@victoriarodriguez8288]

Good question! There are two things we are contending with: we’re keeping all the windows in the same spot and all the structural walls because we wanted to honor the history of the building. So, creating a floor plan with all that in mind is really challenging but we came up with a floor plan that felt cozy in such a large space while also fitting what we need right now. In the future, we do plan on adding more bedrooms in the attic, but that’s for another day 😏

[@lj0727]

@@victoriarodriguez8288 ahh ic! That makes sense. I love that you guys are keeping the integrity of the building. I think it's so tragic when people buy amazing buildings like this and completely gut all the old and amazing features that make it unique. Thanks for answering! Good luck with the renovations!