Charlestown 2014: 35 Years of This Old House

S36 E1: In celebration of 35 years of This Old House, we look back at all that's changed in the last 35 years, and also what hasn't—our commitment to delivering trusted ideas and information to empower homeowners. This season begins in Boston's oldest neighborhood, Charlestown. Kevin and Norm highlight Charlestown's historical importance, from colonial times through WWII. Our new project is part of a cluster of 1850s-era Greek Revival houses tucked into the backside of Bunker Hill. Homeowner Angela Daigle shows Kevin the period feel and features of her home that she loves, but also the outdated kitchen and poor organization of space that she'd like to improve. Upstairs, Tom Silva shows Norm the spaces that will be getting minimal work: an existing guest room, guest bath, and living room. But one level up, on the third floor, it will likely be a full gut to give Angela a better master suite with additional living space, assuming the City approves the plan to enlarge the existing dormers. Out back, Roger shows Kevin the sad state of the crumbling retaining walls. Then Kevin finds Richard formulating a plan for the basement. Norm stops in next door to meet Maggie Boone to see how she recently addressed a lot of the same issues that Angela faces by renovating her own row house. And Norm and Tom test for lead paint before beginning demo on the first floor, as downstairs, Kevin, Richard and mason Mark McCullough start digging into the project.