MILWAUKEE — Two best friends in Milwaukee are helping preserve the city's historic architecture.
“We’re really lucky to be in something I very much view as craft, kind of where trades meets something very artistic," Aurelia Ceja, one of the co-owners of Steeple City Restoration, said.
Steeple City focuses on restoring old windows and doors made before World War II.
“Spreading the gospel of saving your windows and doors," Helena Rose, a co-owner of Steeple City Restoration, said about her mission.
The goal is to take windows and doors made more than 100 years ago last another 100 years. The two friends formed Steeple City Restoration almost three years ago.
“I grew up in Milwaukee. I think so much of its charm and its character comes from its old buildings that we grow up interacting with, so it feels really good to be a part of that," Rose said.
Doing this kind of work means they’re part of a lineage of craftsmanship, incorporating old-school materials and tools to preserve these old windows and doors.
“So much of what we do here in Milwaukee is very Milwaukee-specific. From the woods that people are working with because it was what was locally accessible to the stain colors that they chose. These are things that we see here that if I was doing this work somewhere in New England, it would not look the same," Ceja said.
The Milwaukee area has no shortage of old homes, so business for restoration is good.
“If anyone reached out now, we would be booking into the next new year with them, so there’s certainly enough work to go around," Ceja said.
They recently moved into a larger workshop to take on more projects. But their mission speaks to something even bigger, beyond historic restoration.
“I think I definitely want to show, like, women and queer people that there is space for them in this world of craftsmanship and this, like, really rewarding work," Rose said.
They're keeping the historic look of the city and state alive, one door and window at a time.
“I enjoy being able to work with my hands, but I also enjoy doing something that feels very meaningful to me," Ceja said.
To learn more about Steeple City Restoration, click on this link.
Watch the story below to see inside the Steeple City Restoration workshop...
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