The historic character of this 1887 Victorian home (the John Donaldson House, named after the carpenter who first lived there) was concealed by a 1931 renovation. The residence was sided with asphalt shingles and its architectural details were removed. In 2002, water damage to the façade necessitated a major restoration - which was implemented through the Restore Saint Paul loan program. With Historic Saint Paul’s help the homeowner was able to find replacement parts to match the original design of the front porch. Additionally, the homeowner installed historically appropriate siding and painted the home in vibrant Victorian color scheme. This highly visible Restore Saint Paul project has spurred other homeowners in the neighborhood to undertake their own restorations.