Florida Couple Rescues 1903 Ligonier Home in 2 Years

When Matt and Ruth Redmond bought their 1903 brick house in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, the front porch was so rotted they had to tear it out completely. For six months, they lived in a home with no front stairs, their doorway sitting six feet above the ground.

The couple moved from Boca Raton, Florida in April 2024 specifically looking for a fixer-upper within walking distance of Ligonier's historic downtown. They found exactly what they wanted: a nearly 4,000-square-foot "landlord special" that had been used as a rental property.

Matt, who learned electrical work from his father in Ohio, discovered live knob-and-tube wiring in the attic that needed immediate attention. He rewired the house himself, tackling one of the most dangerous aspects of century-old home renovation.

Ruth worked alongside her husband as they opened up the entire third floor, which had once been servants' quarters. Together they installed new hardwood floors and created a 1,500-square-foot media room and office where cramped, closed-off spaces once stood.

By summer 2025, new TimberTech stairs and a porch with composite columns that mimic the originals replaced the rotting entrance. The couple also refinished an original clawfoot tub, installed exposed brass plumbing in the second-floor bathroom, and renovated the carriage house out back.

Why This Inspires

The Redmonds' commitment to preserving Ligonier's architectural heritage while making the home livable for modern life shows how historic preservation doesn't mean freezing buildings in amber. They're breathing new life into a structure that was slowly deteriorating, ensuring it will stand for another century.

Their work has already inspired their neighbors. Passersby regularly stop to take pictures and compliment the transformation, celebrating the rescue of a building that was once home to hardware store owner A.B. Myers and later to Kathryn and the late Richard P. Mellon.

On June 27, the Redmonds will open their doors as part of "Inside Ligonier: A Home Tour" benefiting the Ligonier Valley Historical Society. The 20th annual tour will showcase their restoration alongside four other properties, giving visitors a chance to see what's possible when dedication meets craftsmanship.

The couple isn't done yet. They're planning a kitchen addition that will expand their living space while respecting the home's original character.