House Historian: Orin Z. Finkle

Since our historical services are unmatched and exceptional, people ask us a wide variety of questions in order to get a better understanding of our common goals. When it comes to tracking down important antiquated information for a mansion owner, assisting a decorator attempting to create an authentic period look for a client or helping a realtor to obtain exclusive data on an estate property for sale, househistorian.com is the solution. We dedicate our resources to your needs….

Estate Owners

Q. From what type of sources do you uncover old information on my home?

A. Our huge database allows us to search old back issues of architectural books, magazines, and catalogs. We even look for antique postcards and newspaper articles or any info on the original owner of property. Contacts are also made with various architectural and historical organizations across the country.

Q. Will you give me the actual old original documents that you locate?

A. If we come across a duplicate copy of our actual library of source documents, we will be glad to provide you with this original publication. This does happen during some of our "digs" and authentic material will become your own. We usually have our professional photographers shoot high quality pictures right from the original magazines, etc. and develop them to the size that you would like. Computer scanned copies of text or mixed (picture & text) sources have also been very successful in getting the best possible results for our clients.

Q. How long will your search process take?

A. Our dedicated search to find "lost" information on your estate can range in time from a few days to months. The process is ongoing and we will keep you aware of of findings as they are uncovered. In many cases, historic data can be located in a brief period and copies immediately supplied to the estate owner. If additional documents come to light, months later, we will always keep you informed.

Q. How much will it cost me to use your service?

A. The homeowner is under no obligation to accept and pay for our findings. If the search yields no data on your property, there is no cost. Even if we locate old records and photos concerning your estate, you are under no obligation to accept them and there is no cost for our services. If you wish to receive copies (or originals if possible) of the all information we find on your property, our fee will be based on the time and effort utilized while investigating the history of your property plus labor costs to expertly copy our findings. Prices for this unique service range from $1,000 to $20,000 depending on the time dedicated and quantity of information found. Our satisfied clients have recognized over the years that "It's a fair price to pay for priceless material". Please note that each search is conducted on a personal and confidential basis and your privacy is always maintained.

Q. How is the material that you locate presented?

A. Our clients have chosen various ways for us to bring or send them the results of the search.

We can package the loose photos and text copies securely, and send them to you via priority mail, insured.
We have put together wonderful leather bound albums of various sizes detailing the history of the estate. These make great gifts and can always have additional pages for updates to the album.
Many clients have asked us to frame the various size photos. They would tell us the style, color and type of presentation desired. Much of our research is now displayed in private mansions as "a wall of history".
On numerous occasions, we have visited private estates, in order to get a first hand experience in photographing the property. In many cases this "hands on" approach makes our job easier.
We are very flexible and will accommodate our clients requests for presentation.

Hotels

Q. We have converted (or are in process of converting) an old estate property into a first rate small hotel (or bed & breakfast). We want to maintain the original estate atmosphere. Do you have any historic data of how the original grounds and gardens used to appear?

A. Over the years we have located old exterior and interior photos and even views taken from the air while flying over large estates. Hotels have shown our findings to landscape designers and renovation contractors who found them extremely useful during restoration.

Q. We would like to design the mansions' entrance hall and some of the guest rooms in a similar manner to the original families "homey" surroundings. Would you help us to uncover some period interior photos of the house?

A. We will use all of our resources to locate old photos of many of the fully furnished rooms of the original house. We also have on file thousands of period photos of mansion interiors. These are sorted by architectural style of house and type of room. Whether it be a grand entrance, music room, living room, dining room, bedroom or even kitchens and baths, we can certainly be of assistance.

Country Clubs

Q. Our club house used to be a grand private estate. Can you find data showing the residence when it was in private hands?

A. Many U.S. clubs have buildings that at one time were part of an estate property. We have been very successful in locating old photos of mansions, stables and cottages that were privately owned back in the 1920s but are currently active country clubs. Our clients were delighted and our photos were put on display.

Q. If our country club was developed as a club in the early 1900s, can you locate information concerning the early years of our history?

A. Absolutely, we have discovered old photos of clubhouses, golfers at clubs, events held there 70-80 years ago and much more "lost" data. Many clubs have framed our photos and have designed a "wall of history".

Realtors

Q. How can my real estate business benefit from using your research service?

A. If your exclusive listings are made up of various manor houses circa 1900-1940, (mansions), a buyer will be very interested in locating all historical data. We can provide you with the information necessary to help market the property as well as impress the client. Our framed period photo(s) also make wonderful gifts.

Q. How can the historic photos and information that you uncover concerning an estate, help to better market the house?

A. Over the years, many realtors have utilized our information to incorporate into their brochures. Facts such as name of architect, year built, data on noted prior owners, original name of the estate and use of old photos for "then & now" comparisons, really help to make the property more appealing. This data also allows the broker to be much more knowledgeable and a cut above competitors.

Interior Decorators

Q: I am beginning to design a 1920s mansion that my clients recently purchased. They would like the rooms to be decorated based on that era. It would be wonderful if I had pictures showing the original room interiors. Can you be of assistance?

A. We have assisted many interior designers by locating actual old photos of their clients homes. These pictures were actually taken at the time when the original homeowner lived in the house. They clearly show the furnishings, fixtures, moldings, mantles and the atmosphere of most rooms. These truly provide an authentic view of the interiors. We also have on file, interior pictures of many period mansions of various architectural styles.

Q. My clients would like to re-furnish their formal dining room. Can you locate about a dozen formal dining room period photos so we can decide which type of furniture and placement would look best?

A. Our vast database can sort interiors by types of period rooms, style of furnishings, locations of properties and noted architects and designers. Our findings have been used very successfully by decorators.

Gifts

Q I have a friend (or neighbor) that owns a large old estate. I would like to give a gift consisting of historic photos, etc. of the property he loves so much. What can you put together for him?

A. Depending on the data that we can uncover on your friend's property, we can put together a beautiful album, a scrapbook, framed photos or an accumulation of material in any format you desire.

Q. I am seeking an unusual gift ( party, business, client, surprise, etc.). What can be put together on an old mansion within a few weeks for a special occassion?

A. We can can certainly assemble a variety of photos, old articles and much more. If there is a rush to locate period material, we will search our database immediately and hope we can find what you you are seeking within a few days. It is very possible to locate information in a brief period of time since our permanent files already contain references to the property. We will always do our best to accomodate your needs.

Libraries

Q. As a librarian, I am asked by new people in my community (who have recently purchased a large manor house), if my library has any historic data on their property. Sometimes we can find some old news clippings or photos, but for most properties in the area we don't have much, if any, material. Can you be of assistance?

A. We have been in contact with many libraries in the U.S. Recommendations of our services by librarians has helped many library patrons to locate data on their estate that they never knew existed. We are the ultimate source for searching out any "lost" historic data on the great estates.