Maine has an abundance of old homes in dire need of repair. The Tiller Project is the story of one of them and the two self-described “renovators long on enthusiasm and somewhat less long on expertise” who set out to fix it.
Hallie Flint Gilman and her husband Ned long sought a rural retreat from their urban life in Portland. Their search ended in 2019, when a farmhouse in North Anson featuring 10 acres along the Kennebec River slipped into their Instagram feed via the account, Cheap Old Houses.
The circa 1856 Greek Revival-style farmhouse is locally referred to as “The Dunphy Place” or “Nana Tana’s,” and more formally called the N.W. Spaulding House. Partial credit for its construction is given to a young Nathan Weston Spaulding, who etched his name in the wallboards before heading west to seek gold in California. Joe and “Nana” Edna Tantish were the last owners, Edna outliving Joe and becoming a beloved character in town.
The house had been vacant for over a decade and had not been updated since the 1960s. The chimneys leaked, many of the windows were broken, and the wallpaper was peeling. The floors were covered in ancient linoleum, which they hoped concealed hardwood, but they waived inspection and crossed their fingers for the best. The front porch decking was so spongey they entered the house by traversing the center joist like it was a balance beam, dismounting through the front door.
Hallie and Ned thought they would lure friends and family to visit and help with renovations, but then Covid struck. The pandemic benched their volunteer workforce and they ventured on mostly alone, documenting the slow progress in a series of newsletters called the Tiller Project, a nod to the tools they used to navigate the process. Between Substack and Instagram they gained 3,000 followers. Dispatches like “That Smell” and “Who Knows, Maybe May” exposed the surprises and uncertainty of opening up an old house, while others explored the stories of past residents and Nana’s famous Date Bars.
From cleanout to buildout, reviving the farmstead became a labor of love. It also necessitated a horde of tradespeople who were quickly entranced by the spirit of the project. Ben Hitchcock and Élise Bolduc from general contractor and architectural design firm, Hitchcock & Co. immediately clicked with Hallie and Ned when they met in 2023. Together they developed a finish line to run towards.
The priority list included a new roof, repair and replacement of siding, and restoration of chimneys. Wraparound steps and a replicated balustrade restored integral elements to the front portico, thanks in part to a family member who turned 50 wood spindles to replace those that had rotted. Historic windows were restored with assistance from Bagala Window Works, while the team tackled the never-ending punch list of restoring doors, hardware, trim, and wall plaster. Mushero’s Jacking & Moving and T&T Construction replaced failing floor joists in the house and set the ell on a new foundation. Reuse of the ell allowed for a modern kitchen and dining room with views of the river. Original beams were framed in with drywall by Paul LeMar and Falcon Flooring painstakingly refurbished the hardwood floors. Conversion of the attic space into a bedroom and bathroom added space for hosting guests.
With the Tiller Project now habitable year-round, Hallie and Ned look forward to more time, community, and adventure in their beautiful corner of Maine.
Project Participants:
The Tiller Project
Hitchcock & Co
Bagala Window Works
Quality Electric
Mushero's Jacking & Moving
Drywall by Paul LeMar
Falcon Flooring Company
Partridge & Kids Construction
T&T Construction
Somerset Disposal
AB Heating Cooling & Electrical
JMM Plumbing
Photo Credits: The Tiller Project, Hitchcock & Co.
