I always wanted to own an old house, and last fall, I finally got my wish: I bought a turn-of-the century wood-frame home in a historic western Cincinnati neighborhood. The original structure was built in 1895, with “modern” amenities such as a kitchen and bathrooms added some years later.

I instantly fell in love with the house's historical character — not just the craftsmanship and architectural details, but the tangible reminders of bygone days and generations. When I put away my dishes in the early 1900s pine cabinets, I can envision some long-ago resident whisking through the kitchen's galley door to serve supper. As I do yard work, I can picture a former denizen leaning up against one of the old fence posts on a hot summer day.