getting harder and harder to find. It drove us even
further to save them all. History disappears too
fast.”
The Mergendollar project was essentially their
first massive attempt at “saving time.” Recognizing
that many old homes were being torn down or
abandoned, in effect, a working, invisible timeline
appeared as to what homes and materials could be
saved before age or neglect erased them.
“Saving Time is our passion,” confirms Sherry,
“and not just in saving the home, but
saving the story of the home and the
people who built it, lived in it or want
to save it. Future generations are going
to want to know about these homes and
structures.”
Offering people an alternative to
renovation is their goal. “We offer a
new option to renovating an old home
instead of gutting and throwing away
all the old, yet still giving them modern
conveniences,” remarks Joel.
The 1920 Farmhouse
Located outside the town of Ila sits a
Joel and Sherry Pelligrino take a break on the front steps
of the 1902 farmhouse. Today, a railing encases
the porch which stands with the help of
repurposed brick from the old
Oconee jail.
ABOVE: Finding the
perfect trim or board
is as close as one of
the four buildings on
site or two storage
units off-site.
RIGHT: A rosette from
a salvaged house
in Lawrenceville
embellishes the
kitchen window.