The Medford Historical Society & Museum presents a talk at the library by Lee McColgan on his book, “A House Restored: The Tragedies and Triumphs of Saving a New England Colonial.” Old houses share their secrets only if they survive. Trading the corporate ladder for a stepladder, McColgan commits to preserving the ramshackle Loring House, built in 1702 in Pembroke, Mass., using period materials and methods and on a holiday deadline. But his enchantment withers as he discovers the massive repairs it needs. He fights deteriorating bricks, frozen pipes, shattered windows, a punctured foundation, and even an airborne chimney cap while learning from a diverse cast of preservationists, including a master mason named Irons, a stone whisperer, and the Window Witch. But can he meet his deadline before family and friends arrive, or will it all come crashing down? McColgan’s journey expertly examines our relationship to history through the homes we inhabit, beautifully articulating the philosophy of preserving the past to find purpose for the future. Reserve a seat by registering through the library’s online calendar.