Have you ever wanted to restore your home, but you weren't sure where to start? Or maybe you'd like to learn how to research the history of your home. Your questions can be answered at a program presented by the Maytown Historical Society.

"This Old House ... Maytown Style" will feature local resident Jim Leonard, who will share his journey in researching and restoring his historic home. The program will be held on Thursday, Feb. 22, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the East Donegal Township Building, 190 Rock Point Road, Marietta.

Jim and his wife, Diane, have lived in their house in "Chickentown" for more than 50 years. Jim noted that no one has been able to provide a full answer for how the area of East Donegal Township got its unique name.

Jim has been able to trace the history of his property, finding deeds dating to the 1860s and an appearance of the original brick house on a Marietta map from the 1850s.

In 2005, Jim began the process of adding on a two-story log structure. "We wanted a little more room. After living in a house for 51 years, you just start to fill it up," said Jim, who noted that the couple enjoys collecting antiques, period furniture and early folk art.

He started the lengthy process of finding materials for the construction, including logs, windows, doors and flooring that were period appropriate. Construction on the addition began in the summer of 2006 and was completed in 2008.

"One of the things that really guided us in the process, once you find old building material, you have to use what you have," he said. "We had some flexibility in some things like where do you place the windows or where do you place the doors, but we were also somewhat limited."

Jim did a lot of research into authentic materials and then used local contractors, including Sload Brothers in Marietta and Andy Mylin, a stone mason from Maytown.

"It was a fascinating journey to watch the people who did the log work and watch the stone mason do his work," Jim said. "We were never involved in a project like this before."

The finished structure includes a summer kitchen with a walk-in fireplace on the first floor and living quarters upstairs, among other unique features, and the Leonards were pleased with the results.

"Our goal in doing this was that when someone drives past or visits, we wanted it to look like it's been here for over 200 years," Jim shared. "We've had people tell us that it looks like that."

At his Maytown Historical Society program, Jim plans to share pictures of the progression of the project.

"I'll be talking about just what is involved in having a structure like this put up," he stated. "I'll share what we did and answer any questions people have."

For more information, search for "Maytown Historical Society" on Facebook.