The Heart Of Historical Restoration

Today, I’m sharing something that has been asked by many. How did we do it? How do we restore something that is seen by many as a money pit and turn it into an empire. How we made the impossible, possible, in a small town, through a market crash, a pandemic, and a city council that for many years, gave us every road block possible. When in reality, they should have been the most supportive.

I’ve come to truly believe there is a time and a way for everything, and the simple answer to all these questions is passion. My true gifts are art and vision, and I’ve come to realize, I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. None of this came from wanting money or fame. In fact, we never had the money to do what we do. My father, a very wise man, would tell me, “ If you can’t figure it out, you figure it out.” Hard work, dedication, doing what I love, and inspiring others along the way. My passion is in historical architecture restoration.

Historical architecture is not just about saving an old building, making it, or changing it into extreme modern design. Its about saving the history that once made a city a strong community and values that they embody. I don’t try and perfect in designing. I try and restore its beauty, and let the architecture speak for itself. In fact, perfection is my least favorite. I like things a bit imperfect. Perfection is an illusion, and sometimes what we imagine to be perfect is only keeping us away from our true selves and creating our true gifts. My husband will ask, “How’s this look?’ And sometimes my response is, “It’s almost too perfect.” If there is no history behind it, it has never really lived. Its about leaving an old window seat open to look through the old glass at a church cross and a town clock. Sometimes finding beauty in imperfection is the greatest form of architectural art.

My favorite restoration thus far, is the Quade block. Located in a small town of Staunton, Illinois. Mr. Quade is numbered among the public-spirited citizens of the community and is found in the front rank of every enterprise calculated to upbuild Staunton, and in 1890 he erected one of the finest blocks in that city, which is known as the Quade Block. It is an elegant structure built of brick and stone with one hundred feet frontage and depth of sixty-five feet. It is two stories in height with a basement and was occupied as an hotel, bar room, dry goods house, and a banking establishment. Furnished with all modern improvements and conveniences and supplied with everything necessary for the comfort of his guests. He was a genial host who has won favor with the traveling public of Route 66.

There is a lot of blood, sweat, and tears in the Quade Block, and also times of feeling like giving up. But then there is the power of the entire community rooting for you, telling you to keep going and praising your hard work. THAT is what makes what feels like impossible, possible. It’s the simple, yet rewardingness of the people you inspire. To never settle for less than what you desire to be. Its an inspiring field of restoration, inspiration and revitalization. We don’t just inspire one person at a time. We inspire an entire community. We have been approached by tv producers and journalists wanting to share our story of who we are and what we do, in hopes to inspire others around the world.

The big question is, how did we turn a money pit into an empire, in a small town, through a market crash, a pandemic, and with all odds against us? We restored faith in a community, brought businesses back to town, yes, through a pandemic, and restored the history of a building that once upbuilt a town. This is, and what will always be, the heart of historical restoration and architecture.

God’s plans will always be greater and more beautiful than all your disappointments. Always do what you are afraid to do. If you don’t take risks, you will always work for someone who does. Nothing worth having was ever achieved without effort. And if you can’t figure it out, you figure it out.

God speed,

Megan Crotty