Hi , Real nun here. Those medals etc would be normal finds in a convent/monastery. Often people visit a holy place and bring back a medal. Often they have been blessed so you would just throw them away. When a sister dies you clear her room and you could expect to find these type of items. I am happy to help identify things that you find. The secret room with Sainte Famille picture is French for ‘holy family’ ie Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The picture with the heart is the ‘Sacred Heart’. It’s a devotional picture. The work you are doing is so fascinating. Thanks
Billy the wallpapers are truly stunning. I agree that a wallpaper company could reproduce them as a 'Convent' or 'Hidden Room' series. The fact that they have not been exposed to the light would have preserved the beautiful colours and the gold.
Anna from How to Renovate a Chateau (without killing your partner) actually has made her own wallpaper. I believe she is a textile designer. That might be a great collaboration between her and Michael attempting to recreate one of those wallpapers. I’d love to know how old they are.
I agree it should be reproduced. As I looked at them, pausing for a really good look, the multiple patterns, the strips side by side made me think it was donated. The paper would appear to me to be partial rolls left from other local homes and persons who gave them to the Convent. They were useful and beautiful as are many other items in the buildings. Also when you get a chance have the jewelry appraised as now days vintage pieces can go for higher prices than gold. All depends on when, where and who made it or if it has great age. This is a fascinating place and I look forward to seeing more of the restorations.
The paper looked more like leftovers cobbled together. Funny how different people can see the exact same thing and draw a different conclusion. Hope Billy can interview the nuns and get an answer!
@@shutterfocus Left overs or samples. I have seen some huge tombs of wallpaper samples from that era. The nuns probably appreciated how wonderful those sections of wall paper are!
You are doing what I started out doing when I was in my late teens. Single in a large city I needed and apartment or other living space. A drinking friend was renovating an old house into four apartments, two up and two downstairs. I could take my pick of whatever one I wanted and work on the others in exchange for rent. It was mostly paint, removing trash and fixing doors. My apartment had only one door in it and that was the bathroom. It did however have three exit doors. One into the front hall and stairs, one to the rear hall and one that opened to a set of stairs that came out at the center landing of the front stairs. The place was haunted, I was a disbeliever at first. I became at a gentile truce with them. The neatest thing I found was in my attic. I was following a power wire in the attic when I kicked a spot in the rough wood floor. Intrigued I examined the floor and found a door! Gently I lifted the trap door up thinking I was going to end up in the bedroom of the lower apartment. Instead it was a square space about three feet or one meter. Along the walls were wooden pegs all the way down to the floor below. I then realized they were steps and this was a room to hide escaped slaves. There was a door at the bottom that came out at the bottom of the stairs but it had been covered up at some time. I have many more tales about that old house but I must bid farewell for now. Cheers Terry
So awesome! But you might need to be very careful with the green wallpapers. I am not sure if anyone mentioned it before, but if the green floral wallpaper is old (up to late 19th century) it may contain traces of arsenic-based dyes. It would be a good idea to send a small sample to a specialist. Keep up the good work!
Yes. Good advice. William Morris is said to be indirectly associated with the death of thousands of people. Fluctuating temperatures if warmth and damp and Victorian obsession with cleaning released it into the air..
Lifes too short for nanny states.... comments from people who don't know about the sort of safety equipment available for building work and removing it will freak the historians/planners/archaeologists out. Honestly some people are frightened of their own shadow, half the streams in central scotland are precipitating arsenic from quarry, mines and slag heaps
Hello Billy. I was wondering if you considered that perhaps the secret room woud have been used to hide Jews during WWII? I have some relatives who were hidden in just such a room, bit bigger from what I remember, it was a convent just ouside the City of Nancy in Lorraine, north east France. I visited it many years later. The sisters saved seven members of my family that way.
It could well be so, but even though It was a catholic convent, why would they keep the catholic imagery, i.e. The Holy Family and the one of the Sacred Heart, which is the Heart with the Sword and the Crown of Thorns around it... The world's around the Edge say something to the order of: Halt! The Heart of Jesús Is with me. May your kingdom come (to us). It is considered a powerful sacramental, once It is blessed by a catholic priest, to keep Evil away from whoever carries it on their person or has it affixed to their doors or walls of where they live.
I remember when you said Michael was the ‘star’ to Ryan once…now look at your channel. You only needed to get comfortable in front of the camera. I think Michael was just comfortable from the get-go. I think, like Michael, your enthusiasm and knowledge for the topic your are speaking on is what makes you both very special and excellent vloggers.
How exciting! Like you said “If these walls could talk!” I feel the same about my family’s Century farm ( Homesteaded by my greatx3 grandparents in 1837. I walk the 270+ acres, 80% woods now. I have 3 White Oak trees that are 175 years +, and two over 200 years old. I sit under the one I am able to access and imagine my ancestors walking by this very tree. History, whether it’s sad, violent ( a lot of U.S. Civil war 1860’s in this area), happy or peaceful; it’s all intriguing to me. You’re saving another historical building, and that’s a beautiful thing😊
Not sure if anyone commented on the last video to clarify… but the print with Mary, Joseph, & Jesus would be referred to as “The Holy Family” i.e. “La Sainte Famille.” As a Catholic, it is so interesting to see these discoveries you are making! Have you ever considered asking a Catholic historian to come interpret some of what you are finding? Or even consulting with someone who is Catholic who could provide you with the context/history of these religious artifacts? For example, the “cufflinks” you found are actually “collar buttons,” for a Roman collar. It keeps it in place. I would volunteer, but, unfortunately I’m across the pond.
Hadn’t read your comment before I posted mine. I am happy to help too. I would love to know which order the nuns/sisters were. Quite unusual just to abandon a convent.
You have a few volunteers to tell you what these Catholic items mean. God Bless your endeavors and your fathers too, and all who are helping make your abandoned convent renovated, restored to its pristine appearance, as much as it is feasible to do so. The film makers are doing an excellent job too. Thanks.
@@lillehus18 Thankyou sister. To this family of rennovaters : Yes, as sister here says here, please find out for your viewers what orders lived in your abandoned convent, many nuns/or sisters resided there over 250 years, and why did they leave, or did they die off or were they in the French Revolution and lost their lives or their convent, tragically? We would like to learn about its history too. Thousands of Catholics would be interested to hear what you've found out. Also, do you hope to sell the convent after you are finished renovating it ? What are your plans about it for the future? As you can see we have lots of questions, therefor lots of interest your videos.
@@bernitacenteno1326 I believe that they mentioned earlier on in the series that the nuns were older in age and it made more sense for them to be transferred to a newer motherhouse? Where they could be cared for as they continue to age? but, please @The Pethericks clarify this.
When I attended Catholic boarding school the nuns used to keep little collections of religious medals and odd pieces of jewelry. They weren't allowed to keep much in personal possessions so I guess these trinkets were very important to them. I would frame them and the bits of wallpaper with the history behind them. Makes for great artwork and some lovely stories for the convent.
The sisters would give us students medals as a prize for doing well in a test for example. If these sisters were nursing sisters they might use the medals to pin to a patients clothing as a reminder of blessing & protection. ~ Once a nursing Sister too! Really love this restoration.
I found you just yesterday and I'm hooked! I love old buildings with rich history and the very fact that you and your family buy and restore! That's like saving our history, thank you! Now back to watching your channel!
Billy, I would imagine the Order which still exists near Toronto, Canada, might be a repository of the history of the Convent. They have their own website. I would assume when the Order left France, as much of their records that could be managed went with them. This is such a fantastic adventure that the entire world is looking over your shoulder as all the nooks and crannies are again brought to the viewing world. Something that few ever had that level of discovery into the old world Nunnery.
I found a letter addressed to Religieuses Hospitalieres de saint joseph in Montreal, coincidentally its the same name as the convent i own so possibly its the same order which left france?
@@ThePethericks 100% contact The order, Nuns generally Kept excellent & detailed Paperwork and information, quite often they did most of the letters and logs for the Local Priest as well. You never know what History you will turn up, and maybe a visit from the Order? How amazing would that be.
I was a nun in Troyes France during the 1980s. France persecuted Catholics, especially religious orders in the late 19th century, and many orders had to leave France temporarily. My order sold their property to a wealthy family who were their friends that held it for the until things improved years later, returning from Italy.
Glad we finally got to see the apartment again, Sadie did tease you would fill us in on what was happening. Michael will have to watch out with how quickly the subscribers are jumping .... fantastic to see 👏
We really are enjoying the convent videos! Love how that beautiful building has stood the test of time protected by that 60s?70s? Inner shell Can’t wait to see you peel back the layers and expose its beauty and secrets. Billy your love and respect of these old buildings and things shines through and for us like minded people s joy to watch! Many thanks for filming these! 🤗❤️🇨🇦
After watching a few of these videos about the convent, I'm subscribing to your channel! Just a few comments: 1. When the structure was deconsecrated, the bells would be removed as part of the process. Bells that are used in churches and other Roman Catholic structures are all blessed, so each peal of the bell is like a prayer being sent out for all who can hear it. Since the structure was converted to "profane" (i.e., "common" or "non-sacramental") use, any blessed or sacramental object would need to be removed, if possible. This would include the blessed bells. There is anecdotal evidence from exorcists that the demons that have possessed people hate and fear the sound of blessed bells, and will react *strongly* when exposed to the peals of blessed bells, but not at all to the sound of un-blessed bells, even if those bells are used in a church setting (albeit one that is not Catholic). 2. You have evidence that people have been partying there in the garden; given the state of the world it's very possible that someone, just for kicks, engaged in "unwholesome behavior" inside different parts of the convent. (I'm trying to keep this comment family-friendly.) I would recommend that after you have cleaned up the grounds and the interior so you can be certain there are no more hidden spaces, you arrange with the local church to have a priest or priests go through and bless the entire structure, the grounds and rooms. 3. A majority of the "trinkets, bits, and bobs" you found in the attic are actually religious medallions and saint's medals. I noticed at least 2 "Miraculous Medals" in your find. All of these things may not have much monetary value in and of themselves, but they can have great value to Catholics, especially if you can get them dated to a particular year or manufactured in a particular place.
It does look like you might have saint relics in with the medals. Not that I think he would do it intentionally, but please be respectful to those items that you found in the attic. Very good chances are that they are blessed. If you could check with an area religious, they can let you know how to properly dispose of them. They’ll let you know what can be sold and how it can be sold if you decide not to keep them. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing all this valuable information about the Catholic Church etc. I am Catholic and didn't know about Priest Rooms until someone posted they thought that was what the Hidden Room was. Then Billy found Medallions and Saint Medals. I recognized immediately they were Catholic and it lined up they had to quickly had to hide those along with the Priest. Such fascinating history. Billy, any chance you would be willing to consult with an Historian familiar with the time of this building was built etc?
It is so fun to tag along to find and see what y'all are doing there. Being in the U.S. people have no idea what "old" really is and this set of buildings (and grounds) you are renovating is fascinating to watch.
They could have an idea if they kept things and kept them up instead of abandoning, trashing and/or bulldozing them. The US is older than many countries now in the UN, and even much older if you count the former colonies, and still older to downright ancient if you count indigenous populations. Which we should do, and not allow the government to let corporations continue to take over and desecrate the few bits of territory recognized by treaty as inalienably theirs.
@@cathjj840 Are you KIDDING me?!? You must not be up on HISTORY of the WORLD. Yes, the North American Continent has had indigenous people for thousands of years. SO HAS THE EUROPEAN LAND MASS! Stonehenge dates at approximately 2500 BC. Egypt's Giza Pyramid is estimated at 4500 years old. So let's not get on a high horse about who and what is older. You mentioned "the colonies" - the first American colony was established in 1607. Contrast that with the first English monarch that reigned from 807-839. Little bit older unless you just can't seem to do the math here...
Well Billy, this Wallpaper is so fantastically vivid in Color, sumptuous and simply spectacular! Maybe contact a museum, cause to have the wallpaper in such pure state must be rare! I mean, there was no sunlight waste ever. I imagine my self being obliged to stay in the secret room for some days, weeks, maybe more...? Lots to look at ! The 18 K gold 'buttons' are Shirtbuttons (neck) rather than Cufflinks. What a lovely discovery! - The Travertine floor will look really great! Thank you Billy for your update and have a great week! ...all of you! ; ))
I am inspired by you Billy and the rest of your family ~ I have a 3 bedroom semi to renovate and moved here in 2019 ~ I am woman alone so I am getting help from friends and other when I can afford work done. Thanks for showing us what you are doing you literally keep me going on my simple mission......which is daunting at times......but all is progress as I am creating a vegetable garden etc
I’ve only just found you Chanel. I love the convent… such a beautify building and it seems to have a lovely chilled atmosphere. ( apart from when you talk about ghosts lol ). I think that courtyard you make a lovely courtyard garden with a trickling fountain… bliss!
I’m loving discovering the hidden parts of the convent along with you. Sadie and Mo’s apartment is coming along nicely. I hope they get the nice kitchen that they deserve - it’s the heart of the home after all. I’m sure Olivia will be excited to be in town with her friends and an easy walk to school. Sadie will be so busy between the apartment, Udea, Queenie and Elsa. I’m so happy for her to be able to ride again. She is so lovely with the animals and Mo is a gem. Love the Petherick family!
Congrats on 103K subscribers....and on another fascinating video. Perhaps a metal detector would be fun to run over those attic floorboards...I wondered if pieces would have fallen through the rather wide gaps? Plus just fun to search for other treasures!
You're doing an amazing job! First all that overgrown mess outside and now the renovations to the interiors. Bringing something special back to life. Bravo. Keep up the good work!
Ohhh, I just found your channel, with the video of when you got the keys. I had to go back to find others of the convention (Edited to fix *convent - autocorrect and I have a love hate relationship lol) but I'm still working my way through now! I'm hoping I can join for the live tomorrow, but I'm working on some stuff myself then, so I may have to watch it after. How exciting that there's jewelry in the attic. I can't wait to see what it all looks like, and if you discover the history of it!
OH Billy what fun! 103K followers is amazing and I am so glad I have been watching your entire adventure to date. I would love to see the jewels put into a shadow box and hung for people to view. They should be hung in a place of honor as they may have been jewels the nuns gave up when they entered the order. So Stephanie went to a place where they make elaborate wallpaper and I think they reproduce it. She may have some ideas for you where to get the reproductions done if Michael does not want to do it. It's amazing you are already getting into the renovations. Hope everything goes well and what you are envisioning comes to full fruition. Such a monumental task.
Nuns would pin their medals under their habits. The long black robe would cover it. I'm Catholic. All my education was in Catholic schools taught by nuns and priests. Sometimes they would attach a lot of the small ones onto a safety pin and pin them onto their upper garments ( under their shirt)
What an incredible find in the attic. The wallpapers in the secret room are amazing. I wonder what company made them and in what century? The apartment floor will definitely look better if it all matches. Looking forward to seeing the progress. Thanks for sharing 😍😘
The first thing I thought when seeing the wallpapers was that they could be recreated. It would be nice to do some select rooms with the wallpapers. One can even have fabrics, carry all bags, pillows, wrapping paper, hats, aprons, anything done! How exciting and beautiful! The religious jewelry... hmmm...was it given for various achievements? I wonder if someone found it in the rooms and put it all together. You could have the crosses etc. reproduced and sell with your webstore eventually ! More finds will come, I'm sure. I am wondering where burials were placed, especially early on? In a cemetery nearby? In the Chapel grounds? Most likely inside the courtyard? Would be fascinating to find out. Perhaps the church in Paris has those records, or the town? I've wondered the same with LaLande and Basmagnier. You definitely need some peacocks in the courtyard! 💗
A lot getting done. You can take warped wood and lay it horizontally but slightly elevated over a area of wet grass. As the wood absorbs the moisture it will straighten. You can use weights to help with a really warped piece. We used to do this to repair antique furniture that warped from improper storage.
the hidden room is amazing the wallpaper is stunning and I really hope you are able to restore it, so beautiful. The nuns probably hide to hide valuables, such as gold chalices and other holy relics to keep them safe from theft perhaps. What an amazing adventure you have a head of you, though I realize all the hard work you are putting into saving a beautiful piece of history:)
I can see that you are the kind of person that would come up with a creative way of displaying your finds today. You seen to have a big family so lots of folks can enjoy what has been discovered.
The place looks amazing what a transformation from when you first obtained the property. That wallpaper is exquisite in that small room that you and your dad discovered Billy! Maybe in your visits to various antique shops or estate sales you can obtain a bell to replace the other one that would be lovely! See you again next Sunday Cheers
European convents often had noble women living there - the former Wmpress of Austria-Hungary lived in a convent in Switzerland for many years after her reign. Some nuns also came from such backgrounds and of course would have jewelry they could not wear in the convent so I imagine it was stored for them especially if they were novitiates or women that were not going to stay.
The small items with the eagles head on them are shirt studs. You will find that they have 2 halves that screw together with the smaller face having mother of pearl or some other decorative material. I have a dress shirt and a couple of sets of studs. In an ecclesiastical setting, the priest’s dog collar may have used a stud to enable the wearer to attach it to the shirt or undergarment.
I absolutely LOVE that first wallpaper with the gold on it (the panel above the blue metallic panel). I would just love to have that reproduced. OMG I just love it. Sorry for being silly …it’s just so beautiful
Just fascinating, Billy. Love thinking about the stories that have been shared within all those walls. What will you do with those trinkets? A display, maybe? Please keep sharing.
Wow! Some a amazing finds. I love that you appreciate the old wallpapers - you've even caused me to appreciate them more. I wonder why the jewelry wasn't hidden in the secret room with the cupboard? I love the natural stone floor tile you have chosen. Thanks for continuing to share your fascinating videos, Billy! What an adventure!
Morning Billy, what an interesting video. That is an amazing Convent, so big. The bell tower sure is magnificent. As you say, a pity about the bell, maybe later on you can do a fund raising in the Courtyard to be able to buy a bell for replacement. It would benefit all. The wall paper is jaw dropping beautiful. Such splendour. the jewellery was an amazing discovery. I am sure if you can get it cleaned up and maybe placed inside a box frame with a light inside, it would display everything beautifully, that is after Gwendoline or other family members found in interest. Remember the Nuns were very humble woman, no luxuries and no airs and graces for show! Hopefully you will find other priceless items,, you could show them off in the Library. Take care, all the very best, kind regards.
Wonderful video! Those wallpapers are incredible. The apartment is looking so awesome. It’s very exciting to see all this progress. I noticed what looked like a white rose in the garden. Would be cool to know what plants they had out there by what has survived.
The wallpaper is beautiful and reproducing it would be a great idea. I recently visited an exhibition in Edinburgh on The history of wallpaper and William Morris in particular. It was fascinating. The style of your wallpaper was well represented, vibrant colours, florals with gold detailing. It would be really interesting to research the paper to see if it was from any of the famous French wallpaper companies. Maybe a task and a vlog for Michael in the future! The tiny little medallions you found , I couldn’t see clearly but they might be what we used to call ‘miraculous medals’ and they were given out on particular saint’s days to children by the priest. Don’t remember if you had to have been good to get one !! Great vlog, Billy, the convent project is making for super content 👍
Ok, when can I move into one of those apartments?! I’m so happy I found your channel. I love seeing the transformation, plus all the secret spots and such. Really incredible.
Love the wallpapers you found. All are beautiful. The one blue background and floral print is really stunning! Changing out antique doors ? I understand if they are beyond repair. But the ones in excellent shape I would keep. New doors I would have made to match. But that is simply me. I am surprised at how tiny the kitchen is.( I have a small kitchen), that looked claustrophobic to me. Can not wait to see the end result though. Looking great so far. The jewelry you found in the attic. I had a silly thought of a squirrel stashing away shiny things it liked. 😂 But I read a comment that explained the trinkets to ward off fire in the attic. So much for my squirrely theory. Wish you and your family all the best. Hugs from Canada ❤️
Wow the property is looking so very good! The Wall papers are outstanding. So amazing. You are so lucky how good shape the property is. The workmanship back then was truly outstanding. Hopefully you can find another bell. Nice doors ...Nice to redo and give life back to the property. Love the tile flooring. I love what you all are doing. Fun to follow!
My grandmother bought her home in the 1960s. It's a 4 bedroom home a few doors up from a Catholic church and was originally the church's convent. In the early 90's she had the home "weatherized". The workers had to cut a hole in a half wall in the attic for some reason and discovered a good bit of religious artifacts hidden in the wall. We never knew why they were there.
Huge adventures - huge excitement Billy ~~ 103K and climbing, congratulations from the heart, so richly deserved! And speaking of "riches" while not the crown jewels in the attic, treasures all the same. It will be fascinating to see if some of the pieces could be matched up with their owners. 💯👌
I have not read any of the comments so please excuse me if i am repeating what has already been said regarding the 'Jewellrey'. Some of these are Religious medalions. the black crusifix is the same as one on an old family rosary i have. Mine is from the 1940/50s. The broach with the flowers on is I believe Lucite. The flowers are cut into the reverse of the clear plastic feeling material. These date from Lucite's inception in the late 1930's to 1970's. I think this broach is around the 1940/50's. These could be items the nuns came with when they joined the order. As they were not allowed to have possessions therefore anything they came with was put away including there clothes. If they left the order it was returned to them. Maybe the cupbaord contained these items, put away incase they left and they were returned to them. Nuns did leave, rarely and go back into the community. I believe the cufflinks are actually collar studs. To hold detachable collers to the shirts. I hope this is useful to you. Marie.
Добрый день! Мне очень нравится, что вы все сохраняете, восстанавливаете и бережете. Вы очень трудолюбивый человек. Я рада, что у вас есть свой замок. Такие люди, как вы должны жить в своих дворцах и замках🥰
This little collection must have been some poor girl's precious possessions. Very poignant when you consider that girls entering the convent to become nuns, were not allowed to keep any personal possessions. Convents, especially in the olden days, were not happy places, for a variety of reasons. Shakespeare's Hamlet depicts it quite well, 'Get thee to a nunnery!' (I virtually 'grew up' in a convent boarding school for 9 years, as did my mother and hers before that. This was in Australia, the nuns were Irish....some of their stories tragic.)
Has your brother seen this room and all the gorgeous wallpapers? With all his creativity and talent, I'm sure he could create a line of wallpapers, cards, fabrics, etc. from all of them! Thanks for sharing this little hidden room and its treasures with all of us!😁 👑🏣🏰🗼
The building much have a holy sense about it - almost holy - a place to say a prayer. I have such a good feeling watching you. The nuns must be smiling down on you with so much joy.
Those things you found in the attic are religious and are possibly blessed medals. Please take care of them. Most look like Miraculous Medals of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They are precious to God, especially if they are blessed. What an amazing find!
In the secret room. Did you look above the planks nailed to the roof ?.Ideal hiding spot.A piece is missing on the left side as you pan with the camera at the beginning of this video.
I'd be curious to see if the shelves in the in the secret room might be able to be used as steps. Is the ceiling of the cabinet solid or might it possibly be a trap door to the second floor or attic?
I just discovered your site today & I like it, very much. I like your FORD cap too because across the pond my two sons have work for FORD for about twenty-four years. One is at the KTP ( Kentucky Truck Plant) & the other son works at the LAP plant ( Louisville Assembly Plant). Good luck with your projects; it is so interesting!
Absolutely amazing exploring all the different areas and hiding spots. Back in my parochial days nun's would award good behavior with a pendent of a saint. They were very thin and made of aluminum. What a fascinating undertaking and so much work!
Ahh! I love this! Thank you so much for documenting this for all to see! I like how respectful you are of the space and that you want to preserve everything! Not too many people left like that and I absolutely appreciate it! I’m so glad I came across your channel!
Hi Billy, The wall paper is really stunning, glad you are preserving the room. What a find the jewelry! That's wonderful that the bell tower doesn't have any woodworm or rot! You guys really have been busy, getting an apartment ready, the travertine is going to be beautiful! Congratulations on over 100K subs...so very well deserved!👍 Thank you so much for the update, this is such an interesting and exciting journey! Take really good care of yourselves, stay well! Lots of love Kathy x 💖
Hello! New subbie here! It would be amazing if you could photograph the old wallpaper! Book makers and junk journalists such as myself would love to be able to buy them as a digital download! All the age, holes and dirt add to the vintage/antique look of books! This was alot of fun! TFS Hugs!
This is truly a wonderful set of clips. I cannot stop watching. I can't help but wonder how many nuns locked away naughty heathen children in those secret hidden rooms?
Although I could be way off the mark, in my experience, a Catholic Church routinely sold religious items to make a bit more money. The items you found could be the remainder of a such a supply/inventory
Also, did anyone keep journals or memoirs of their time there that maybe a family member self published ? By the way there was a similar series in Canada whereby a man bought what he called the hoarder house which was a 3 bedroom house in provost Alberta that had been owned by a famous ceramisist and it was incredible. Alex Archibald was the person who bought the house and then had to clear out three floors of clothing ect. There was so much stuff in the house the first floor floor joists cracked. Brilliant show.
The little hidden room reminds me of a tiny part of Anne Frank’s attic. I guess it could have been used to hide someone for a very short time period during the Nazi Occupation?
Congratulations on over 100,000 subs! 🎉🥳🎉🥳 I want to commend you on the high visual quality of the video! I love the convent and the secrets you have found so far. You do everything at a high standard, so the apartment will be amazing! ❤️
The wallpapers would look amazing framed in large, simple frames, and hung in one of the public rooms as a series. That way, folks could enjoy the color and detail . (But as another commenter says, have it tested for arsenic!)
Billy I have a couple theories about that hidden room. It really is a great find. I would say if you haven't already, see if you can't get a local university history department that want to come look at it. See what they can tell you.
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Hi , Real nun here. Those medals etc would be normal finds in a convent/monastery. Often people visit a holy place and bring back a medal. Often they have been blessed so you would just throw them away. When a sister dies you clear her room and you could expect to find these type of items.
I am happy to help identify things that you find. The secret room with Sainte Famille picture is French for ‘holy family’ ie Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The picture with the heart is the ‘Sacred Heart’. It’s a devotional picture.
The work you are doing is so fascinating. Thanks
Yes, I noticed a Miraculous Medal amongst the trinkets. They could visit the chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Paris.
do you thing this room was built to hide peoples during WWII ?
You would just throw them away? Why would they throw a blessed medal away?
those wallpaper patterns would make gorgeous fabrics!
Many wallpapers back in the day WERE fabric 🙂👍🏻
The wall papers are works of art. Stunning! 💫
That hidden room cabinet looks like another door on the back
Billy the wallpapers are truly stunning. I agree that a wallpaper company could reproduce them as a 'Convent' or 'Hidden Room' series. The fact that they have not been exposed to the light would have preserved the beautiful colours and the gold.
Anna from How to Renovate a Chateau (without killing your partner) actually has made her own wallpaper. I believe she is a textile designer. That might be a great collaboration between her and Michael attempting to recreate one of those wallpapers. I’d love to know how old they are.
I agree it should be reproduced. As I looked at them, pausing for a really good look, the multiple patterns, the strips side by side made me think it was donated. The paper would appear to me to be partial rolls left from other local homes and persons who gave them to the Convent. They were useful and beautiful as are many other items in the buildings. Also when you get a chance have the jewelry appraised as now days vintage pieces can go for higher prices than gold. All depends on when, where and who made it or if it has great age. This is a fascinating place and I look forward to seeing more of the restorations.
The paper looked more like leftovers cobbled together. Funny how different people can see the exact same thing and draw a different conclusion. Hope Billy can interview the nuns and get an answer!
@@shutterfocus Left overs or samples. I have seen some huge tombs of wallpaper samples from that era. The nuns probably appreciated how wonderful those sections of wall paper are!
The wallpaper reminds me of some William Morris scrapbook papers I have.
This needs to be a tv show! Like Escape to the château!! Brilliant!
You are doing what I started out doing when I was in my late teens. Single in a large city I needed and apartment or other living space. A drinking friend was renovating an old house into four apartments, two up and two downstairs. I could take my pick of whatever one I wanted and work on the others in exchange for rent.
It was mostly paint, removing trash and fixing doors.
My apartment had only one door in it and that was the bathroom. It did however have three exit doors. One into the front hall and stairs, one to the rear hall and one that opened to a set of stairs that came out at the center landing of the front stairs.
The place was haunted, I was a disbeliever at first. I became at a gentile truce with them.
The neatest thing I found was in my attic. I was following a power wire in the attic when I kicked a spot in the rough wood floor. Intrigued I examined the floor and found a door! Gently I lifted the trap door up thinking I was going to end up in the bedroom of the lower apartment. Instead it was a square space about three feet or one meter. Along the walls were wooden pegs all the way down to the floor below. I then realized they were steps and this was a room to hide escaped slaves. There was a door at the bottom that came out at the bottom of the stairs but it had been covered up at some time.
I have many more tales about that old house but I must bid farewell for now.
Cheers
Terry
Thank you for sharing
So interesting. If in USA it may have been part of Underground Railroad.
Amazing!
What city is that?
@@heenanyou Nashville Tennessee
Set about finding a new antique bell. That tower should absolutely ring out with the new life you've brought to the estate.
So awesome! But you might need to be very careful with the green wallpapers. I am not sure if anyone mentioned it before, but if the green floral wallpaper is old (up to late 19th century) it may contain traces of arsenic-based dyes. It would be a good idea to send a small sample to a specialist. Keep up the good work!
Yes. Good advice. William Morris is said to be indirectly associated with the death of thousands of people. Fluctuating temperatures if warmth and damp and Victorian obsession with cleaning released it into the air..
It's what Napoleon died of . The house he was put under house arrest in st helena was damp with arsenic dyed wallpaper.
I know that was a problem in Great Britain, but I'm not sure they used that technique/color in France.
Lifes too short for nanny states.... comments from people who don't know about the sort of safety equipment available for building work and removing it will freak the historians/planners/archaeologists out. Honestly some people are frightened of their own shadow, half the streams in central scotland are precipitating arsenic from quarry, mines and slag heaps
I just love the tiles in the big rooms of that apartment
Hello Billy. I was wondering if you considered that perhaps the secret room woud have been used to hide Jews during WWII? I have some relatives who were hidden in just such a room, bit bigger from what I remember, it was a convent just ouside the City of Nancy in Lorraine, north east France. I visited it many years later. The sisters saved seven members of my family that way.
That makes alot of sense. 👍
Hidden rooms were also for disobedient nuns. It was not uncommon to be punished in this way.
The hiding of the Jews is a great theory. Many convents did that.
I agree with you about the secret room. A hiding place. Possibly there are even more of them.
It could well be so, but even though It was a catholic convent, why would they keep the catholic imagery, i.e. The Holy Family and the one of the Sacred Heart, which is the Heart with the Sword and the Crown of Thorns around it... The world's around the Edge say something to the order of: Halt! The Heart of Jesús Is with me. May your kingdom come (to us). It is considered a powerful sacramental, once It is blessed by a catholic priest, to keep Evil away from whoever carries it on their person or has it affixed to their doors or walls of where they live.
I remember when you said Michael was the ‘star’ to Ryan once…now look at your channel. You only needed to get comfortable in front of the camera. I think Michael was just comfortable from the get-go. I think, like Michael, your enthusiasm and knowledge for the topic your are speaking on is what makes you both very special and excellent vloggers.
How exciting! Like you said “If these walls could talk!” I feel the same about my family’s Century farm ( Homesteaded by my greatx3 grandparents in 1837. I walk the 270+ acres, 80% woods now. I have 3 White Oak trees that are 175 years +, and two over 200 years old. I sit under the one I am able to access and imagine my ancestors walking by this very tree. History, whether it’s sad, violent ( a lot of U.S. Civil war 1860’s in this area), happy or peaceful; it’s all intriguing to me. You’re saving another historical building, and that’s a beautiful thing😊
🌷💗🌷
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Not sure if anyone commented on the last video to clarify… but the print with Mary, Joseph, & Jesus would be referred to as “The Holy Family” i.e. “La Sainte Famille.” As a Catholic, it is so interesting to see these discoveries you are making! Have you ever considered asking a Catholic historian to come interpret some of what you are finding? Or even consulting with someone who is Catholic who could provide you with the context/history of these religious artifacts? For example, the “cufflinks” you found are actually “collar buttons,” for a Roman collar. It keeps it in place. I would volunteer, but, unfortunately I’m across the pond.
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Hadn’t read your comment before I posted mine. I am happy to help too. I would love to know which order the nuns/sisters were. Quite unusual just to abandon a convent.
You have a few volunteers to tell you what these Catholic items mean. God Bless your endeavors and your fathers too, and all who are helping make your abandoned convent renovated, restored to its pristine appearance, as much as it is feasible to do so. The film makers are doing an excellent job too. Thanks.
@@lillehus18 Thankyou sister. To this family of rennovaters : Yes, as sister here says here, please find out for your viewers what orders lived in your abandoned convent, many nuns/or sisters resided there over 250 years, and why did they leave, or did they die off or were they in the French Revolution and lost their lives or their convent, tragically? We would like to learn about its history too. Thousands of Catholics would be interested to hear what you've found out. Also, do you hope to sell the convent after you are finished renovating it ? What are your plans about it for the future? As you can see we have lots of questions, therefor lots of interest your videos.
@@bernitacenteno1326 I believe that they mentioned earlier on in the series that the nuns were older in age and it made more sense for them to be transferred to a newer motherhouse? Where they could be cared for as they continue to age? but, please @The Pethericks clarify this.
so much work to do.
blessings to you.🌼
My husband and I just discovered your channel. We’re hooked. Great job. Greetings from Texas.
Same for us Texas 👋🏻
When I attended Catholic boarding school the nuns used to keep little collections of religious medals and odd pieces of jewelry. They weren't allowed to keep much in personal possessions so I guess these trinkets were very important to them. I would frame them and the bits of wallpaper with the history behind them. Makes for great artwork and some lovely stories for the convent.
It could have been personal items of Family of the Convent member.
Those plastic containers are a rather new invention so I would assume this has not been there for decades.
The sisters would give us students medals as a prize for doing well in a test for example. If these sisters were nursing sisters they might use the medals to pin to a patients clothing as a reminder of blessing & protection. ~ Once a nursing Sister too! Really love this restoration.
They hid the jewelry in the attic to probably appease the ghosts❣️❤️
The tour was amazing.. love seeing the apartment ideas, too. 😍 Thank you Petherick’s! 👏🏼 👏🏼👏🏼
I found you just yesterday and I'm hooked! I love old buildings with rich history and the very fact that you and your family buy and restore! That's like saving our history, thank you!
Now back to watching your channel!
Billy, I would imagine the Order which still exists near Toronto, Canada, might be a repository of the history of the Convent. They have their own website. I would assume when the Order left France, as much of their records that could be managed went with them. This is such a fantastic adventure that the entire world is looking over your shoulder as all the nooks and crannies are again brought to the viewing world. Something that few ever had that level of discovery into the old world Nunnery.
Convent
I found a letter addressed to Religieuses Hospitalieres de saint joseph in Montreal, coincidentally its the same name as the convent i own so possibly its the same order which left france?
@@ThePethericks I suggest looking at their website in Canada. Might have someone who can provide the missing history of the French Nunnery.
Billy, yes look at the website, it will tell you the archives for the order are in Angers France.
@@ThePethericks 100% contact The order, Nuns generally Kept excellent & detailed Paperwork and information, quite often they did most of the letters and logs for the Local Priest as well. You never know what History you will turn up, and maybe a visit from the Order? How amazing would that be.
I was a nun in Troyes France during the 1980s. France persecuted Catholics, especially religious orders in the late 19th century, and many orders had to leave France temporarily. My order sold their property to a wealthy family who were their friends that held it for the until things improved years later, returning from Italy.
I may need to watch the the first one as I am curious what order.of nuns had that convent.
Glad we finally got to see the apartment again, Sadie did tease you would fill us in on what was happening. Michael will have to watch out with how quickly the subscribers are jumping .... fantastic to see 👏
We really are enjoying the convent videos! Love how that beautiful building has stood the test of time protected by that 60s?70s? Inner shell Can’t wait to see you peel back the layers and expose its beauty and secrets.
Billy your love and respect of these old buildings and things shines through and for us like minded people s joy to watch! Many thanks for filming these!
🤗❤️🇨🇦
After watching a few of these videos about the convent, I'm subscribing to your channel! Just a few comments:
1. When the structure was deconsecrated, the bells would be removed as part of the process. Bells that are used in churches and other Roman Catholic structures are all blessed, so each peal of the bell is like a prayer being sent out for all who can hear it. Since the structure was converted to "profane" (i.e., "common" or "non-sacramental") use, any blessed or sacramental object would need to be removed, if possible. This would include the blessed bells. There is anecdotal evidence from exorcists that the demons that have possessed people hate and fear the sound of blessed bells, and will react *strongly* when exposed to the peals of blessed bells, but not at all to the sound of un-blessed bells, even if those bells are used in a church setting (albeit one that is not Catholic).
2. You have evidence that people have been partying there in the garden; given the state of the world it's very possible that someone, just for kicks, engaged in "unwholesome behavior" inside different parts of the convent. (I'm trying to keep this comment family-friendly.) I would recommend that after you have cleaned up the grounds and the interior so you can be certain there are no more hidden spaces, you arrange with the local church to have a priest or priests go through and bless the entire structure, the grounds and rooms.
3. A majority of the "trinkets, bits, and bobs" you found in the attic are actually religious medallions and saint's medals. I noticed at least 2 "Miraculous Medals" in your find. All of these things may not have much monetary value in and of themselves, but they can have great value to Catholics, especially if you can get them dated to a particular year or manufactured in a particular place.
Some looked like relics which are more valuable.
It does look like you might have saint relics in with the medals. Not that I think he would do it intentionally, but please be respectful to those items that you found in the attic. Very good chances are that they are blessed. If you could check with an area religious, they can let you know how to properly dispose of them. They’ll let you know what can be sold and how it can be sold if you decide not to keep them. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing all this valuable information about the Catholic Church etc. I am Catholic and didn't know about Priest Rooms until someone posted they thought that was what the Hidden Room was. Then Billy found Medallions and Saint Medals. I recognized immediately they were Catholic and it lined up they had to quickly had to hide those along with the Priest. Such fascinating history.
Billy, any chance you would be willing to consult with an Historian familiar with the time of this building was built etc?
@@tmjb00 If you decide not to keep them, please make them available for purchase by one of us Catholics who would cherish them.
It is so fun to tag along to find and see what y'all are doing there. Being in the U.S. people have no idea what "old" really is and this set of buildings (and grounds) you are renovating is fascinating to watch.
They could have an idea if they kept things and kept them up instead of abandoning, trashing and/or bulldozing them. The US is older than many countries now in the UN, and even much older if you count the former colonies, and still older to downright ancient if you count indigenous populations. Which we should do, and not allow the government to let corporations continue to take over and desecrate the few bits of territory recognized by treaty as inalienably theirs.
@@cathjj840 Are you KIDDING me?!? You must not be up on HISTORY of the WORLD. Yes, the North American Continent has had indigenous people for thousands of years. SO HAS THE EUROPEAN LAND MASS! Stonehenge dates at approximately 2500 BC. Egypt's Giza Pyramid is estimated at 4500 years old. So let's not get on a high horse about who and what is older. You mentioned "the colonies" - the first American colony was established in 1607. Contrast that with the first English monarch that reigned from 807-839. Little bit older unless you just can't seem to do the math here...
Well Billy, this Wallpaper is so fantastically vivid in Color, sumptuous and simply spectacular! Maybe contact a museum, cause to have the wallpaper in such pure state must be rare! I mean, there was no sunlight waste ever. I imagine my self being obliged to stay in the secret room for some days, weeks, maybe more...? Lots to look at !
The 18 K gold 'buttons' are Shirtbuttons (neck) rather than Cufflinks. What a lovely discovery! - The Travertine floor will look really great! Thank you Billy for your update and have a great week! ...all of you! ; ))
Your music is spot on-really sets the mood. So enjoy the love of history this channel brings!
I am inspired by you Billy and the rest of your family ~ I have a 3 bedroom semi to renovate and moved here in 2019 ~ I am woman alone so I am getting help from friends and other when I can afford work done. Thanks for showing us what you are doing you literally keep me going on my simple mission......which is daunting at times......but all is progress as I am creating a vegetable garden etc
You can do it Jo! Power on!
You sound pretty tough to me lady. Keep at it. Success is a journey, not just a destination. Enjoy what you do as you do your best❤️🦘
@@mariagillinson8527 Thank you ~ I shall.....
I’ve only just found you Chanel. I love the convent… such a beautify building and it seems to have a lovely chilled atmosphere. ( apart from when you talk about ghosts lol ). I think that courtyard you make a lovely courtyard garden with a trickling fountain… bliss!
So exciting!!
The history of the convent is slowly revealing itself to you Billy 😊💛👍🏻
I’m loving discovering the hidden parts of the convent along with you. Sadie and Mo’s apartment is coming along nicely. I hope they get the nice kitchen that they deserve - it’s the heart of the home after all. I’m sure Olivia will be excited to be in town with her friends and an easy walk to school. Sadie will be so busy between the apartment, Udea, Queenie and Elsa. I’m so happy for her to be able to ride again. She is so lovely with the animals and Mo is a gem. Love the Petherick family!
Congrats on 103K subscribers....and on another fascinating video. Perhaps a metal detector would be fun to run over those attic floorboards...I wondered if pieces would have fallen through the rather wide gaps? Plus just fun to search for other treasures!
You're doing an amazing job! First all that overgrown mess outside and now the renovations to the interiors. Bringing something special back to life. Bravo. Keep up the good work!
Ohhh, I just found your channel, with the video of when you got the keys. I had to go back to find others of the convention (Edited to fix *convent - autocorrect and I have a love hate relationship lol) but I'm still working my way through now! I'm hoping I can join for the live tomorrow, but I'm working on some stuff myself then, so I may have to watch it after. How exciting that there's jewelry in the attic.
I can't wait to see what it all looks like, and if you discover the history of it!
Your vlogs are like a good mystery book that I can't wait to read the next chapter.
OH Billy what fun! 103K followers is amazing and I am so glad I have been watching your entire adventure to date. I would love to see the jewels put into a shadow box and hung for people to view. They should be hung in a place of honor as they may have been jewels the nuns gave up when they entered the order. So Stephanie went to a place where they make elaborate wallpaper and I think they reproduce it. She may have some ideas for you where to get the reproductions done if Michael does not want to do it. It's amazing you are already getting into the renovations. Hope everything goes well and what you are envisioning comes to full fruition. Such a monumental task.
Nuns would pin their medals under their habits. The long black robe would cover it. I'm Catholic. All my education was in Catholic schools taught by nuns and priests. Sometimes they would attach a lot of the small ones onto a safety pin and pin them onto their upper garments ( under their shirt)
It's comforting to hear the family tone in your voice brother's alike
What an incredible find in the attic. The wallpapers in the secret room are amazing. I wonder what company made them and in what century? The apartment floor will definitely look better if it all matches. Looking forward to seeing the progress. Thanks for sharing 😍😘
Love your channel and the updates. With a convent this old, large and history, only 1 secret room? Can't wait until you find the others.
Exciting new vlog every week! Love the treasures you found. Glad the weather is beautiful for you too. Thanks for all the fascinating updates.
The first thing I thought when seeing the wallpapers was that they could be recreated. It would be nice to do some select rooms with the wallpapers. One can even have fabrics, carry all bags, pillows, wrapping paper, hats, aprons, anything done! How exciting and beautiful! The religious jewelry... hmmm...was it given for various achievements? I wonder if someone found it in the rooms and put it all together. You could have the crosses etc. reproduced and sell with your webstore eventually ! More finds will come, I'm sure. I am wondering where burials were placed, especially early on? In a cemetery nearby? In the Chapel grounds? Most likely inside the courtyard? Would be fascinating to find out. Perhaps the church in Paris has those records, or the town? I've wondered the same with LaLande and Basmagnier. You definitely need some peacocks in the courtyard! 💗
A lot getting done. You can take warped wood and lay it horizontally but slightly elevated over a area of wet grass. As the wood absorbs the moisture it will straighten. You can use weights to help with a really warped piece. We used to do this to repair antique furniture that warped from improper storage.
almost everything can be renovated or fixed ,, these are gems for sure ,,,, you are a lucky man ,,
the hidden room is amazing the wallpaper is stunning and I really hope you are able to restore it, so beautiful. The nuns probably hide to hide valuables, such as gold chalices and other holy relics to keep them safe from theft perhaps. What an amazing adventure you have a head of you, though I realize all the hard work you are putting into saving a beautiful piece of history:)
I give you kudos for taking on that big a project. I would be overwhelmed and creeped out.
Loving these videos! Thank you Billy.
I can see that you are the kind of person that would come up with a creative way of displaying your finds today. You seen to have a big family so lots of folks can enjoy what has been discovered.
The place looks amazing what a transformation from when you first obtained the property. That wallpaper is exquisite in that small room that you and your dad discovered Billy! Maybe in your visits to various antique shops or estate sales you can obtain a bell to replace the other one that would be lovely! See you again next Sunday Cheers
European convents often had noble women living there - the former Wmpress of Austria-Hungary lived in a convent in Switzerland for many years after her reign. Some nuns also came from such backgrounds and of course would have jewelry they could not wear in the convent so I imagine it was stored for them especially if they were novitiates or women that were not going to stay.
The small items with the eagles head on them are shirt studs. You will find that they have 2 halves that screw together with the smaller face having mother of pearl or some other decorative material. I have a dress shirt and a couple of sets of studs. In an ecclesiastical setting, the priest’s dog collar may have used a stud to enable the wearer to attach it to the shirt or undergarment.
I absolutely LOVE that first wallpaper with the gold on it (the panel above the blue metallic panel). I would just love to have that reproduced. OMG I just love it. Sorry for being silly …it’s just so beautiful
Just fascinating, Billy. Love thinking about the stories that have been shared within all those walls. What will you do with those trinkets? A display, maybe? Please keep sharing.
Wow! Some a amazing finds. I love that you appreciate the old wallpapers - you've even caused me to appreciate them more. I wonder why the jewelry wasn't hidden in the secret room with the cupboard? I love the natural stone floor tile you have chosen. Thanks for continuing to share your fascinating videos, Billy! What an adventure!
Morning Billy, what an interesting video. That is an amazing Convent, so big. The bell tower sure is magnificent. As you say, a pity about the bell, maybe later on you can do a fund raising in the Courtyard to be able to buy a bell for replacement. It would benefit all. The wall paper is jaw dropping beautiful. Such splendour. the jewellery was an amazing discovery. I am sure if you can get it cleaned up and maybe placed inside a box frame with a light inside, it would display everything beautifully, that is after Gwendoline or other family members found in interest. Remember the Nuns were very humble woman, no luxuries and no airs and graces for show! Hopefully you will find other priceless items,, you could show them off in the Library. Take care, all the very best, kind regards.
Wonderful video! Those wallpapers are incredible. The apartment is looking so awesome. It’s very exciting to see all this progress. I noticed what looked like a white rose in the garden. Would be cool to know what plants they had out there by what has survived.
Yes the history of the garden would be interesting .
Hiya Billy really enjoying discovering along side you, very exciting times for all! Blessings to you and yours Thankyou Ontario Canada 🐝🇨🇦
The wallpaper is beautiful and reproducing it would be a great idea. I recently visited an exhibition in Edinburgh on The history of wallpaper and William Morris in particular. It was fascinating. The style of your wallpaper was well represented, vibrant colours, florals with gold detailing. It would be really interesting to research the paper to see if it was from any of the famous French wallpaper companies. Maybe a task and a vlog for Michael in the future!
The tiny little medallions you found , I couldn’t see clearly but they might be what we used to call ‘miraculous medals’ and they were given out on particular saint’s days to children by the priest. Don’t remember if you had to have been good to get one !!
Great vlog, Billy, the convent project is making for super content 👍
Ok, when can I move into one of those apartments?! I’m so happy I found your channel. I love seeing the transformation, plus all the secret spots and such. Really incredible.
Love the wallpapers you found. All are beautiful. The one blue background and floral print is really stunning!
Changing out antique doors ? I understand if they are beyond repair. But the ones in excellent shape I would keep. New doors I would have made to match. But that is simply me.
I am surprised at how tiny the kitchen is.( I have a small kitchen), that looked claustrophobic to me. Can not wait to see the end result though. Looking great so far.
The jewelry you found in the attic. I had a silly thought of a squirrel stashing away shiny things it liked. 😂 But I read a comment that explained the trinkets to ward off fire in the attic. So much for my squirrely theory.
Wish you and your family all the best. Hugs from Canada ❤️
Wow the property is looking so very good! The Wall papers are outstanding. So amazing. You are so lucky how good shape the property is. The workmanship back then was truly outstanding. Hopefully you can find another bell. Nice doors ...Nice to redo and give life back to the property. Love the tile flooring. I love what you all are doing. Fun to follow!
You should consider add modern fire safety equipment to the convent. A sprinkler system would be one thing I would add.
My grandmother bought her home in the 1960s. It's a 4 bedroom home a few doors up from a Catholic church and was originally the church's convent. In the early 90's she had the home "weatherized". The workers had to cut a hole in a half wall in the attic for some reason and discovered a good bit of religious artifacts hidden in the wall. We never knew why they were there.
Huge adventures - huge excitement Billy ~~ 103K and climbing, congratulations from the heart, so richly deserved! And speaking of "riches" while not the crown jewels in the attic, treasures all the same. It will be fascinating to see if some of the pieces could be matched up with their owners. 💯👌
Hello 👋
How are you doing today
I have not read any of the comments so please excuse me if i am repeating what has already been said regarding the 'Jewellrey'. Some of these are Religious medalions. the black crusifix is the same as one on an old family rosary i have. Mine is from the 1940/50s. The broach with the flowers on is I believe Lucite. The flowers are cut into the reverse of the clear plastic feeling material. These date from Lucite's inception in the late 1930's to 1970's. I think this broach is around the 1940/50's. These could be items the nuns came with when they joined the order. As they were not allowed to have possessions therefore anything they came with was put away including there clothes. If they left the order it was returned to them. Maybe the cupbaord contained these items, put away incase they left and they were returned to them. Nuns did leave, rarely and go back into the community. I believe the cufflinks are actually collar studs. To hold detachable collers to the shirts. I hope this is useful to you. Marie.
Добрый день! Мне очень нравится, что вы все сохраняете, восстанавливаете и бережете. Вы очень трудолюбивый человек. Я рада, что у вас есть свой замок. Такие люди, как вы должны жить в своих дворцах и замках🥰
This little collection must have been some poor girl's precious possessions. Very poignant when you consider that girls entering the convent to become nuns, were not allowed to keep any personal possessions. Convents, especially in the olden days, were not happy places, for a variety of reasons. Shakespeare's Hamlet depicts it quite well, 'Get thee to a nunnery!' (I virtually 'grew up' in a convent boarding school for 9 years, as did my mother and hers before that. This was in Australia, the nuns were Irish....some of their stories tragic.)
Archivists would probably love to see the wallpapers! Thanks for sharing.
Has your brother seen this room and all the gorgeous wallpapers? With all his creativity and talent, I'm sure he could create a line of wallpapers, cards, fabrics, etc. from all of them! Thanks for sharing this little hidden room and its treasures with all of us!😁 👑🏣🏰🗼
The building much have a holy sense about it - almost holy - a place to say a prayer. I have such a good feeling watching you. The nuns must be smiling down on you with so much joy.
I would frame the wallpapers. That way, it would be saved.
Those things you found in the attic are religious and are possibly blessed medals. Please take care of them. Most look like Miraculous Medals of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They are precious to God, especially if they are blessed. What an amazing find!
So fun to find treasures!! And secret hidden spaces!! It’s already looking amazing!! It’s fantastic that you are bringing it all back to life!!
In the secret room. Did you look above the planks nailed to the roof ?.Ideal hiding spot.A piece is missing on the left side as you pan with the camera at the beginning of this video.
Among the jewelry items were small plastic containers, these often contain relics.
A Trailer.....what a brilliant idea, well done
12:25 I've spotted ' The our Lady of miracles medal and The St Benedict medal. Very powerful medals. Keep them safe.
I'd be curious to see if the shelves in the in the secret room might be able to be used as steps. Is the ceiling of the cabinet solid or might it possibly be a trap door to the second floor or attic?
My thoughts exactly!
I just discovered your site today & I like it, very much. I like your FORD cap too because across the pond my two sons have work for FORD for about twenty-four years. One is at the KTP ( Kentucky Truck Plant) & the other son works at the LAP plant ( Louisville Assembly Plant).
Good luck with your projects; it is so interesting!
Absolutely amazing exploring all the different areas and hiding spots. Back in my parochial days nun's would award good behavior with a pendent of a saint. They were very thin and made of aluminum. What a fascinating undertaking and so much work!
Ahh! I love this! Thank you so much for documenting this for all to see! I like how respectful you are of the space and that you want to preserve everything! Not too many people left like that and I absolutely appreciate it! I’m so glad I came across your channel!
Hi Billy, The wall paper is really stunning, glad you are preserving the room. What a find the jewelry! That's wonderful that the bell tower doesn't have any woodworm or rot! You guys really have been busy, getting an apartment ready, the travertine is going to be beautiful! Congratulations on over 100K subs...so very well deserved!👍 Thank you so much for the update, this is such an interesting and exciting journey! Take really good care of yourselves, stay well! Lots of love Kathy x 💖
So much to be done, so many treasures to be found. Looking forward to this adventure.
Hello 👋 Sandy
How are you doing today
@@alexoliver5652 Doing ok today. Cant wait til they find out about the jewelry. I love a good mystery and exploring old houses. How you doing, OK?
@@sandylee9564 Sounds great to hear
Am good thanks for asking..
Where are you from?
@@alexoliver5652 I live in Oklahoma, and you?
@@sandylee9564 Nice place
Am originally from Finland but lives in Texas..
Are you originally from Oklahoma?
You are definitely a role model for hard work
Hello! New subbie here! It would be amazing if you could photograph the old wallpaper! Book makers and junk journalists such as myself would love to be able to buy them as a digital download! All the age, holes and dirt add to the vintage/antique look of books! This was alot of fun! TFS Hugs!
This is truly a wonderful set of clips. I cannot stop watching. I can't help but wonder how many nuns locked away naughty heathen children in those secret hidden rooms?
It was not a school so hopefully no child abuse there.
That green wallpaper maybe Scheele's green. Highly toxic Victorian era, arsenic based pigment.
Wow! What a wonderful find! The jewelry was amazing! You could put it in a small shadow box on display.
Thank you for sharing ! Loved you little treasure find !
Although I could be way off the mark, in my experience, a Catholic Church routinely sold religious items to make a bit more money. The items you found could be the remainder of a such a supply/inventory
Also, did anyone keep journals or memoirs of their time there that maybe a family member self published ? By the way there was a similar series in Canada whereby a man bought what he called the hoarder house which was a 3 bedroom house in provost Alberta that had been owned by a famous ceramisist and it was incredible. Alex Archibald was the person who bought the house and then had to clear out three floors of clothing ect. There was so much stuff in the house the first floor floor joists cracked. Brilliant show.
The little hidden room reminds me of a tiny part of Anne Frank’s attic. I guess it could have been used to hide someone for a very short time period during the Nazi Occupation?
Wow, I’m so thrilled for you in finding this beautiful and holy place. Thank you for sharing. Maybe ask the local Catholic Priest to help you🐨🦘🇦🇺
Congratulations on over 100,000 subs! 🎉🥳🎉🥳 I want to commend you on the high visual quality of the video! I love the convent and the secrets you have found so far. You do everything at a high standard, so the apartment will be amazing! ❤️
The wallpapers would look amazing framed in large, simple frames, and hung in one of the public rooms as a series. That way, folks could enjoy the color and detail . (But as another commenter says, have it tested for arsenic!)
Wallpaper find is beautiful, it would be great if copies were made for the convent. Such an interesting find.
Billy I have a couple theories about that hidden room. It really is a great find. I would say if you haven't already, see if you can't get a local university history department that want to come look at it. See what they can tell you.
Wonderful shots of the bell tower, inside and out. How exciting to find the hidden room and jewellery🤗
They are collar studs from when men had removable collars on their shirts, not cuff links. What an interesting find.
if i've said it once, i've said it a hundred times... he loves his wallpaper.
What fun that was, thank you for your slow tour and explanation as we go.
Your channel's quality is astounding, and it keeps getting better and better. Congrats!
thank you