Photo by Todd Weddle / St. Joseph News-Press

A gas cock to turn on the gas in a antique chandelier in the Millet-Lowenstein home in St. Joseph.

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If walls could talk, The Millet-Lowenstein home in St. Joseph would have some fascinating stories.

The solid brick home was built in 1878, at the start of the Golden Age, a period of great prosperity for the city. Thanks to the restoration efforts over the past seven years by owner Dan Moser, the public will not only learn some of the stories from those years, but get a chance to feel and hear what the times were like when the home is featured on the St. Joseph Historical Society homes tour this weekend.

“We tried to save everything that was original that we could,” Mr. Moser says. “Whatever was missing, we went back and recreated.”

The efforts have not gone unnoticed. The home is the recipient of the 2007 City of St. Joseph Historic Preservation Award. HGTV producers also agree there’s a good story in and in front of those walls and will feature the home this summer on “If Walls Could Talk.”

The proceeds from the tour of Mr. Moser’s home will help preserve Robidoux Row, which is also on the tour and has plenty of stories of its own. It does not get financial help from the county or state, says Clyde Weeks, director of the Robidoux Row museum.

“Our building is 160 years old,” he says. “There’s always something falling apart.”

When Mr. Moser bought the home, it had been made into apartments, much like many of the older homes in the area. The original stained-glass windows and solid wood staircase were concealed behind false walls. Unlike other homes, however, some state-of-the art improvements were made in the 1920s, so visitors will see high-quality furnishings and fixtures from that period as well — even in the bathrooms.

“The tubs were pretty cutting edge,” Mr. Moser says, “and the toothbrush sink was a luxury item.”

Photo by Todd Weddle / St. Joseph News-Press

Dan Moser has been restoring the Millet-Lowenstein home in St. Joseph for the past seven years.

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All the light fixtures in the home are antiques, everything from the sconces to chandeliers. Several are working gas lights, with all the original gas mechanisms still intact. Five of the six original fireplaces have been restored to their former glory. Two mantels were totally rusted and painted with latex paint. Bolted blocks concealed 1870s Italian tile and original faux marbling.

“It gave us a good idea about the colors and pattern that were used,” Mr. Moser says. “We had to piece it back together from there.“

The home is furnished with a blend of styles you would find in a late 19th century home, mixed with some 1920s and 1930s appliances. In the library, you’ll see the bookcase belonging to George Chase, founder of Chase Candy company and a Morris chair, an early recliner. In one of the bedrooms there’s an 1850s Empire bed. In the kitchen, there’s a 1932 General Electric “refrigeration unit.”

“It’s basically a 1920s icebox with a condenser on top,” Moser says. “And it has a foot pedal, so if you have your hands full, you can still open the door.”

All through the home you will find St. Joseph artifacts and photos, such Aunt Jemima tins and food containers, a photo of the 1934 Swift “Fancy Meat group” posed outside the slaughter house, and a map of early St. Joseph. One room is devoted to some of the “finds” from inside the walls.

Mr. Moser hopes when visitors come to see the home this weekend, they will be able to not only learn more about St. Joseph’s history, but really understand what it would have been like for the family that lived here in the 1880s.

“It’s important to capture some accurate glimpses of our past so people can understand where they came from,” Mr. Moser says. “It only takes a generation or two to where you are left with just a story. You really need to have something tangible to appreciate and understand what you are talking about.”

Lifestyles reporter Sylvia Anderson may be reached at sylviaanderson@npgco.com

Take the tour

What: St. Joseph Historical Society homes tour

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 17 and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. May 18

Where: Millet-Lowenstein home, 624 N. Seventh St. and Robidoux Row, Third and Poulin streets

Tickets: $5 includes tours of both properties and snacks. Advance tickets also available at Commerce Bank, Fourth and Felix; O’Malley’s, 500 Welt St., Weston, Mo.; and Willie’s Pub, 1501 Grand Ave., downtown Kansas City, Mo.