Stacie Grissom and Sean Wilson, long-time residents of New York City, decided to move back to their hometown of Franklin, Indiana, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Grissom was pregnant with their first child, and the couple felt that being closer to family was important. They purchased an old schoolhouse in Franklin in 2024 and began the process of renovating it into their dream home.
The schoolhouse, originally built as Union Joint Graded School No. 9, had served as a school for local children from 1914 to 1934 before being used as a barn. Grissom and Wilson saw the potential in the building and decided to undertake a major renovation project, despite still living in New York City at the time. The renovation took longer than expected, with the couple finally moving in in September of the current year.
Throughout the renovation process, Grissom documented the journey on social media, sharing the challenges and triumphs of transforming the old schoolhouse into a modern home. The couple kept some original features of the building, such as the floors in one classroom, the brick walls, and the original doors. They also paid homage to the school’s history by using the same colors that were originally painted on the walls.
The schoolhouse now boasts four bedrooms and two and a half baths on the 4,000-square-foot upper level. The couple is still figuring out what to do with the lower 4,000-square-foot sub-basement. Grissom and Wilson are enjoying being back in their hometown and being closer to family after their time in New York City. The experience has been challenging but rewarding, and they are proud of the home they have created.
Grissom has found a new passion in content creation and sharing the schoolhouse renovation journey online. She never expected her home to become a source of income and a way to connect with others who share her love for renovating old buildings. Moving into the schoolhouse was a dream come true for the couple, and they are excited to see their children grow up in a home filled with history and character.
Despite the challenges and setbacks they faced during the renovation process, Grissom and Wilson are grateful for the experience and the opportunity to create a unique and beautiful home for their family. The schoolhouse project has brought them closer together and taught them valuable lessons about perseverance, creativity, and the importance of family. They are looking forward to the future and the memories they will create in their one-of-a-kind home.
