Stacie Grissom and Sean Wilson, who had been living in New York City for almost a decade, decided to move back to their hometown of Franklin, Indiana, during the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020. Grissom, who was pregnant with their first child at the time, realized the importance of being closer to family and chose to relocate. They purchased an old schoolhouse in Franklin, which had served as a school between 1914 and 1934, and spent three years renovating it from afar while still living in New York City.
They enlisted the help of family and contractors to work on the schoolhouse, which took longer than expected to complete. Despite the challenges they faced during the renovation process, including finding unexpected items like a board labeled “Chicken coop,” they were able to preserve some of the original features of the building such as the floors in one classroom, the brick walls, and the original doors. Grissom appreciated the opportunity to work alongside her dad and learn renovation skills throughout the project.
Grissom and Wilson focused on maintaining the historical integrity of the schoolhouse by using original colors and creating mosaics with its name and creation date. They also incorporated school furniture into the décor as a nod to the building’s past. Grissom found joy in documenting the renovation journey on social media and connecting with a community of old home restoration enthusiasts.
After years of hard work and dedication, the couple finally moved into the schoolhouse in September of the current year. Grissom expressed her happiness at being back in their hometown and raising their children closer to family. She reflected on the lessons learned during the pandemic and the importance of appreciating the small things in life. Despite the challenges they faced during the renovation process, Grissom would go through it all again to realize their dream of owning a unique and historic home.
The schoolhouse now boasts four bedrooms, two and a half baths, and retains its original charm while offering modern amenities. Grissom and Wilson are still figuring out how to utilize the lower sub-basement space. Moving in has been a rewarding experience for the couple, who have poured their time, energy, and resources into making the schoolhouse their home. Grissom emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sense of wonder and naiveté throughout the process and cherishing the journey they’ve been on.
