Unseen STL History Talks February 2024
Restoring and preserving old buildings with Kaleb Higgins and Eric LaVelle
Join us this February for an insightful exploration into the world of 19th-century St. Louis architecture and the dedicated efforts to preserve and restore these significant structures. Our next Unseen STL History Talk is scheduled for February 15th at 7:00 pm at Spine Bookstore and Cafe, located at 1976-82 Arsenal St. in St. Louis. Given the anticipated high turnout, we recommend arriving early. Doors open at 6:00 pm, with a $5 cover to help support Spine.
The Talks
We're excited to feature presentations by two experts in the field of historic restoration. They have devoted themselves to preserving old homes and structures in St. Louis, employing original machines and methods to ensure the restorations remain as historically authentic as possible.
Kaleb Higgins will delve into the fascinating stories behind the construction of St. Louis's historic homes. He'll share insights about Charles S. Brown, a former resident of Kaleb’s home, and his involvement with The Hall & Brown Woodworking Machine Company. This company was a key player in St. Louis, known as the largest company of its type in the city.
Eric LaVelle will focus on the evolution of woodworking machines during the 19th century. His talk will include the development of these machines and their role in creating architectural woodwork. He will present specific examples from Arzt House in Soulard and Kaleb’s Charles S. Brown house to illustrate his points.
The Speakers
Kaleb Higgins is the creator of the popular YouTube channel The 2nd Empire Strikes Back, with over 150K subscribers. His channel showcases the restoration of his 2nd Empire-style home, located in the historic Millionaires Row in the St. Louis Place neighborhood. Kaleb's restoration process emphasizes authenticity, using techniques and skills from the late 1880s and early 1890s. His home’s first owner, Charles S. Brown, co-founded the Hall & Brown Woodworking Machine Co., a pivotal company in St. Louis's architectural history. Explore more about Kaleb's work on his YouTube Channel and Instagram.
Eric LaVelle's journey began as a collector, restorer, and operator of antique industrial woodworking machines. His expertise has contributed to the restoration of numerous historic houses, applying his vast knowledge and experience in the field.
We look forward to welcoming you to this engaging and informative evening, highlighting a key aspect of St. Louis’s rich architectural heritage.
If you enjoy Unseen St. Louis, these history talks, and the meetup Unseen STL History Adventures, consider a paid subscription to Unseen STL. I’m Jackie Dana, and I put all of this together in my free time. Your financial support helps keep all of these activities sustainable.