How Clarkston students transformed a condemned 1878 farmhouse into a beautiful family home while mastering historic preservation skills
In 2017, the historic Bailey House faced demolition. Built around 1878 and located in Independence Oaks County Park, this T-plan farmhouse with unique Gothic and Queen Anne architectural details had fallen into disrepair after being donated to Oakland County Parks in 2010.
When the county scheduled the house for demolition due to lack of maintenance funds, the Clarkston Construction Technology program stepped in with an ambitious vision: transform this condemned building into a fully restored home while providing students with an unparalleled learning experience in historic preservation.
Bailey House Before & After Photos Coming Soon
The challenges students faced and the skills they developed
Complete reframing of exterior and interior walls and floors
House needed lifting from original stone foundation
Bringing 150-year-old structure to current standards
Maintaining architectural integrity while modernizing
Balloon framing and period-appropriate methods
Hands-on experience with historic masonry repair
Understanding renovation vs. new construction plans
Working with licensed builders and specialized trades
Presented to Preservation Clarkston and instructor Steve Wyckoff for the Bailey House restoration work
December 2024 tours allowed the public to view the completed student work
Project highlighted as a model for community-driven preservation
The Bailey House restoration shows what's possible when students have the resources and support to tackle ambitious, real-world projects. Your support ensures future students can continue this tradition of learning through meaningful community service.
Support tools and materials for future restoration projects
Enable partnerships with historic preservation organizations
Provide resources for community-benefiting construction
Ready to learn more about supporting student projects that make a lasting community impact? Contact us to discover how your involvement can help build both student futures and the Clarkston Community.