Old Bones Antique Salvage

01/02/2026

My heart aches for this loss.

Devastating Loss: Amsterdam’s Vondelkerk Ravaged by a New Year’s Night Fire 😢🔥
A major blaze broke out around 1 a.m., causing the spire/tower to collapse and leaving the historic neo-Gothic church severely damaged. Authorities say the cause is still under investigation. Some reports suggest fireworks may have played a role, but nothing has been officially confirmed.

12/08/2025

After two months, I have finally finished taking all the stained glass windows out of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. I was contracted by the church to do this for them so that A) they will hopefully have an easier time finding a buyer for the building since the required desanctifying has taken place, and B) they would be carefully and respectfully removed instead of being destroyed. Now all I have to so is finish crating them all up, and then hopefully I will be able to find them a new home with another church or catholic organization.

12/08/2025

11/29/2025

Newlyweds Chris and Heather Smith are in love with something besides each other — their new “old” house in Aspinwall. The couple bought a historic stone home in the Sauer Buildings Historic District on Center Avenue in the borough. The Smiths were so enthralled with their residence, they chose...

08/27/2025

Here is a sneak peak at an upcoming project I just secured! Removing and carefully crating all of these stained glass windows for the parish before the sale of the building next month.

02/12/2025

There's a reason these have been around forever.

01/27/2025

The Belvedere Hotel, also known as Giannini's Hotel or "The Tin Hut" on account of it's tin ceilings in it's heyday in Oklahoma Borough, Westmoreland County. Mr. Giannini's Father was a railroad man and built this establishment to provide lodging for his employees. After the work was done, he opened it as a public hotel. The depot was just across the street and the hotel did a booming business for years.
(Photo from Jonna Zimmerman Wadsworth via
https://www.facebook.com/groups/210672349050208/)

09/27/2024

This weekend is the Heritage Festival at McConnell’s Mills State Park! The forecast is ever-changing, but we will be there setup rain or shine! Stop up and enjoy the craft vendors, entertainment, food, and activities!

09/19/2024

I’ve finally begun tackling this bittersweet task - a task I’ve been hesitating to begin for the past 4 years. I’ve begun the daunting challenge of dismantling the rotting remains of my grandfather’s blacksmithing forge. Not for good or for long, though, as this is my passion project. I’m planning to painstakingly repair the stone foundation, respectfully replace the hand-hewn log framing, and restore it to its original glory, with some much needed upgrades. I’m also going to add an 18’x20’ addition on the side, and it’s going to be my wood shop. It will have reclaimed wood board and batten siding, and reclaimed corrugated metal roofing, among other awesome features.

If anyone is interested in staying tuned to see how things progress, feel free to follow me! My goal is to have it done before the Pennsylvania winter.