Since graduating from Harvard with a degree in history, John has devoted his life to the study and preservation of early buildings. His home is the 1710 brick Peaslee Garrison in East Haverhill, MA. One of his first jobs in the field of preservation was property manager for SPNEA (now Historic New England) overseeing their properties scattered throughout New England. In the 1960s, he was project director for the Ipswich covenant program that culminated in the book Something to Preserve. Abbott Lowell Cummings was the principal consultant. At Harvard, John taught an adjunct course in historic houses at the Harvard University School of Design. Additionally, during a ten-year period he was founder and president of Shaker Workshops, Inc.

Stephanie is a recent addition to the OHW team. She assists John with team communications and organizational details. She graduated with a BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and for the past 15 years she has owned her own photography studio. Her portfolio includes architectural projects which is a huge asset for our Old House Whisperer clients when she photographs their houses. Stephanie has always had a love for history, old houses and antiques. As a young girl, she traveled with her parents to many auctions all over New England. She has continued that tradition with her husband, Bob; almost every Sunday morning they can be found “picking” at the Todd Farm flea market in Rowley, MA.

Susan assists John Cole with lectures by coordinating with local libraries, historical societies and various venues throughout the area as well as creates, assembles and presents the slideshow lectures. She also assists with computer input and light administrative work. She is a graduate of Northern Essex Community College and is delighted to be using her skills to inform the community about the importance of preserving history. Her favorite part of her job with The Old House Whisperer is that she learns something new with every book and presentation she helps to create. When she is not helping to create informative books and presentations, she enjoys sharing and experiencing life with her husband and two teenage children.

Ellie is an experienced writer with a background in education. She uses title searches, and genealogical and historical research to help date a house and reveal some of its many stories. Helping homeowners learn more about the history of their houses gives her great pleasure.

Marcia Boundy is a freelance writer based in Newburyport.

Sheila is a graphic designer and illustrator with international experience in advertising. A transplant from England she earned a degree in Graphic Design and Illustration in London which led to an exciting career in advertising, which has taken her from London to Chicago and finally to Boston. This diverse experience has made her curious to tackle all creative challenges that come her way. Every new project brings with it new knowledge and interesting stories which she loves to bring to life with her creativity.

Jessamyn assists John Cole and the OHW team on production and layout of each book. She is also a partner and web design director at Dingo Creative where she designs websites for scores of businesses. When she’s not setting the world on fire for her clients, British expat Jessamyn can be found cycling around Plum Island with her boyfriend Brian and her daughter, “Love of My Life” Cassidy.

Damon Di Mauro is a member of Historic New England, the New England Historic Genealogical Society, and the Essex Society of Genealogists. He has published in The Essex Genealogist. In a separate sphere of scholarly endeavor, he holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has published articles and book reviews on French and Italian literature in Canada, France, Great Britain, Switzerland, and the Unites States. He teaches language and literature at Gordon College.

Studied period and modern architecture while obtaining a Master of Arts in Early United States and Modern British History.  Also, received a Graduate Certificate in Editing and Publishing.  Life-long career in publishing as an editor and in book manufacturing.  Post-graduate studies in history at Cambridge University, UK. 

Fortunate to have been raised and now live in my family’s 1915 Craftsman Bungalow that remains original as it was first built.  The house is an unparalleled repository of ancestral documents, pictures, diaries, paintings, and furnishings relating to the Bungalow and surrounding homes and farms from first settler 1600’s lineage.  This is where my ingrained appreciation arose for architecture, who lived, when, and how during their lives and world events.

The study of architecture and history are fascinating in themselves, but many other stirring wonders are detected.  This is what John F. Cole and his The Old House Whisperer are all about!  I am delighted to be part of John’s team as we make our discoveries when we approach an inspiring house and open the door.  Take at look at yours and let us know!