"The median year built for the homes in this community is 1956, which is much older than homes found in Coralville (1981), Iowa City (1973), and Johnson County (1975), but only slightly older than the state average (1959). Most homes in University Heights (52%) were built between 1950 and 1969. Over 37% of homes were built prior to 1950."
-University Heights Comprehensive Plan, 2010 p. 29
With this fact in mind I'd like to mention a great resource for owners of older homes: The non-profit group Iowa City Friends of Historic Preservation and especially their Salvage Barn. The Salvage Barn is open on Saturday afternoons. The barn is a place where you can purchase modestly priced architectural salvage to help maintain the beauty and integrity of older homes. I have used FHP Salvage Barn materials in our house with great success. The Barn has materials appropriate to Victorian, Arts and Crafts and Mid-Century Modern homes which are found in University Heights.
Here is a photo of the pergola in our backyard, during construction, that was built almost entirely from materials salvaged from the farmhouse in North Liberty that was salvaged, then demolished to build Garner Elementary School
Also FHP offers workshops in practical matters for anyone interested. I will be giving a hands on workshop on how to install salvaged hardwood floors on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 from 2-4 PM at the Iowa City Eastside Recyling Center. More information on that can be found at the FHP Facebook Page
