The Old House Society
A monthly gathering for people who love (and sometimes question) their old homes.
Next session:
Tuesday, April 7
6:00–7:00 PM
Zoom
SOLD OUT!
Owning an old house is equal parts magic and unpredictability. Some days you’re uncovering original details, and other days you’re wondering why a window from 1860 suddenly won’t close. It’s deeply rewarding, and at times, completely overwhelming.
Let’s unlock the mysteries together.
We meet monthly on Tuesdays from 6:00–7:00 PM on Zoom. It’s free to join—just bring questions, ideas, or an openness to learn.*
*For now, we are focused on homeowners in Massachusetts.
✳︎ Shared Problem-Solving
Bring your questions, challenges, or “what is going on here?” moments. Together, we work through real situations—combining perspectives to uncover thoughtful, practical paths forward.
✳︎ Collective Knowledge
From materials and methods to trusted resources, this is a space to exchange what’s working (and what’s not). You’ll leave with ideas shaped by both experience and expertise.
✳︎ Guided, Not Prescribed
Each session is lightly facilitated to keep things focused while allowing space for organic conversation. We guide the discussion, but the value comes from the room—through shared perspectives, collective insight, and occasional guest experts.
✳︎ A Space to Think Out Loud
Old houses don’t always come with clear answers. This is a place to process decisions, test ideas, and talk things through with people who understand the nuance of what you’re navigating.
Session 1 on April 7 is SOLD OUT!
RSVP for our session on May 12, 2026
Topic:
The topic for May is in the works!
Upcoming sessions:
Tuesday, May 12, 6-7pm on Zoom
Tuesday, June 5, 6-7pm on Zoom
Your facilitators
Laura Parrish
Old House Specialist
As a designer and historic home renovator, Laura Parrish has spent over a decade restoring houses from the 1600s through the mid-1900s, each treated as a true labor of love. She is well known for her restoration of The Whalehouse in New Bedford, MA which has been featured on Magnolia Network’s Diary of an Old Home on HBO Max, Chronicle, Real Simple Magazine, Pottery Barn, West Elm, The Boston Globe and New York Times Travel, amongst other publications. She sits on the board of a historic restoration community development non-profit, and has multi-year experience as the chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a mid-size city.
She believes in honoring an old home for what it is – celebrating its quirks, craftsmanship, and imperfections as part of its enduring charm. Her passion lies in helping people enjoy living in their historic homes while preserving what makes them unique, so they feel cherished rather than frozen in time.
Katharine White MacPhail
Architect
Katharine White MacPhail is an old house architect with a passion for new technologies and helping people achieve their dreams. She received a Master of Architecture from Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) in 1996, a BA in Art History from Mount Holyoke College where she fell for classical antiquities. Later she completed graduate work in Historic Preservation at Boston University before pursuing a career in architecture. For many years she has been examining how to keep a home renovation sustainable.
She also hosted her own renovation podcast, Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven, that was produced for 4 years and aimed to help homeowners with their renovation questions. She and her husband moved to Fairhaven, MA in 2022 to renovate a 1794 federal style home, a project still in progress.
Join the Society–it’s free!
