C
hris Dembs, attracted to classic homes yet wary of historic upkeep, hired a Vermont builder in 2012 to create a faithful 1850s New England Greek‑Revival farmhouse at 4477 Cole Road, Onondaga Hill. The result—a bright, sun‑lit family room—captures the era’s charm without the burdens of preservation. The project was photographed by CST Media Productions LLC.

    While standing in his driveway, Dembs watched a car pull up. The driver praised the restoration, remarking, “You did a great job…but I don’t recall a house there before.” The comment underscored the house’s new construction, a modern homage to a bygone style.

    Johnathan Croyle, a Central New York historian who joined Advance Media New York in 2000, covers local history, obituaries, and the weekly House of the Week. He notes that links on the site may earn the publisher compensation, and by using the site users agree to the User Agreement and Privacy Policy, allowing collection of clicks, interactions, and personal data by the company and third‑party partners.