This Old House: Season 1
Season 1 of This Old House—titled “The Dorchester House”—introduces the series as television’s original home‑improvement program. Created by Russell Morash, the show presents a documentary‑style, reality‑based look at a single, whole‑house renovation that unfolds across multiple episodes. The inaugural season follows the step‑by‑step process of restoring the Dorchester House, illustrating the planning, demolition, co
Season overview
Season 1 of This Old House—titled “The Dorchester House”—introduces the series as television’s original home‑improvement program. Created by Russell Morash, the show presents a documentary‑style, reality‑based look at a single, whole‑house renovation that unfolds across multiple episodes. The inaugural season follows the step‑by‑step process of restoring the Dorchester House, illustrating the planning, demolition, construction, and finishing work required to transform an aging residence into a functional, modern home. Emphasizing practical techniques and the craftsmanship of tradespeople, the series offers viewers clear explanations of building codes, material choices, and project management while maintaining a family‑friendly TV‑G rating. By focusing on one comprehensive renovation, the first season establishes the format that would define the long‑running series, setting a precedent for subsequent seasons to
Episode Guide
Season 1 Progress Shield
The Dorchester House - A Tour of the House
Jan 1, 1979
Our host, a Boston designer and builder, tours the dilapidated turn-of the-century house in Dorchester, Massachusetts, that will completely renovated in the next 13 weeks. Our host
The Dorchester House - House History and Kitchen Plans
Feb 1, 1979
Renovation has begun and the carpenter has find rot in the eaves. The kitchen, one of the hardest remodeling jobs, gets some attention, and we look into the history of the home.
The Dorchester House - Frozen Pipes and a New Kitchen Wall
Feb 15, 1979
Work on the house has uncovered some unforeseen problems from the roof to the plumbing, and at a moment, the dream kitchen is a nightmare. But our host has some solutions.
The Dorchester House - Insulation and Plumbing
Feb 28, 1979
It's time to insulate the house, remove the old furnace, and replace it with a new-energy-efficient heating system.
The Dorchester House - Leveled Ceilings and Kitchen Lighting
Mar 1, 1979
This week the ceilings are leveled and renovated. The bulkhead is repaired and renewed. Our hosts talks about the kitchen lighting and answers some viewer questions.
The Dorchester House - Heating Plan, Kitchen Skylight
Mar 15, 1979
How are we going to heat the house? This week our host talks with a heating specialist about baseboard heating, the heating plant in the basement and the water heater. We take a lo
The Dorchester House - Roof Repairs, Kitchen Plaster Work
Apr 1, 1979
Plasters, roofers, and carpenters are hard at work. The kitchen walls are plastered, the chimney get some attention, and works starts on the crumbling front porch.
The Dorchester House - Insulation, Historic Paint Colors
May 1, 1979
The insulation and plasterwork are completed. The new kitchen windows are trimmed and finished. A historic preservation consultant traces the changes made in the past century in th
The Dorchester House - Deck Foundation
May 15, 1979
Work on the deck and its foundation is underway. Our host offers some hints on paint stripping and introduces an alternative to ceramic wall tile around a bathtub.
The Dorchester House - Exterior Planning
May 30, 1979
Our hosts walks through the grounds with a landscape designer and considers the gardening possibilities. The carpenters put on new red cedar clapboards, and the Mayor of Boston, Ke
The Dorchester House - Flooring Install
Jun 1, 1979
Our host demostrates how to lay a parquet kitchen floor. He speaks to a marble expert about the dining room fireplace. The bathroom tile floor is installed, and we consider home se
The Dorchester House - Adding Curb Appeal
Jun 15, 1979
The house painter demonstrates how to apply primer. Our host talks about installing an oak floor and sanding floors. A stonemason repairs the stone wall around the house, and the y
The Dorchester House - The Finished Product
Jun 30, 1979
A look at the nearly finished product, inside and out. And the finishing touches are put on the picket fence, the deck and yard.