Fort Worth.com | History Channel's Lone Star Restoration Films Series in Fort Worth

by Admin

Fort Worth resident, Brent Hull, owner and president of Hull Historical, is a nationally recognized authority on historic design, architecturally correct moldings and millwork. Trained in the art of museum quality preservation at the prestigious North Bennett Street School in Boston, Brent is the exclusive licensee for the architectural interiors of the Winterthur Museum and Country Estate in Wilmington, Delaware, the original home of H.F. du Pont. With over 20 years’ experience, Hull has become one of the most respected and sought after historical builders in the country. Together with his team, Brent combines the best of today’s technology with time tested and traditional craftsmanship to bring his projects to life.

Brent’s new series Lone Star Restoration premieres this Monday, October 3rd at 10/9c on HISTORY. The series will follow Brent and his team as they make it their mission to save America’s architectural history one job at a time.

The Fort Worth Film Commission had the opportunity to get to know more about Brent and what it was like to shoot this series in his hometown.

1. How did you develop your passion for restoration and how did your career in this field begin?

I enjoy working with my hands and have always loved old buildings and construction. In my youth, I was always very physical; working with my hands, fixing up cars, or building furniture. In 1991, I began a 2-year study of historic preservation at the North Bennet Street School in Boston, one of the oldest trade schools in America, and learned the art of traditional building and historic preservation. We learned how homes and buildings were constructed 200 years ago. This understanding of how different things used to be has colored my view of how things should be built today. After moving back to Fort Worth in 1993, I opened my business in the garage of my brother's 1911 bungalow home. Hull Historical has grown over the last 23 years and has allowed me to pursue my passion for restoring buildings, building homes and crafting beautiful millwork with quality craftsmanship.

2. What type of Fort Worth restoration projects can we expect to see on the show?

Almost all of the projects that you see on the show take place in Fort Worth with a few exceptions taking place in other North Texas areas such as Desoto and Palestine. One of the continuous projects that you will see me and my team work on throughout the season is a historic home project in the incredible Ryan Place neighborhood. It was built in 1922 and had only two previous owners, it was basically untouched. We also do some work at Thistle Hill at the old Amon Carter estate, some work downtown and out on the west side of Fort Worth.

3. What are your favorite historic buildings in Fort Worth?

The Tarrant County Courthouse, Thistle Hill, the McFarland House, the historic post office downtown with the steer head capitals, and the Flatiron building downtown.

4. What is your dream restoration project?

The White House, any home by Gustav Stickely, or Frank Lloyd Wright.

5. What is the strangest thing you’ve ever restored in Fort Worth?

The Amon Carter Prohibition era liquor vault was pretty cool and unique. We restored a 1903 bank vault door that was basically rusted and worn out. We have restored it into a working door and it is a stunning transformation.

6. What was your experience like filming a show of this magnitude in Fort Worth?

Overall, it was an amazing experience though as you can image, it could be a bit overwhelming at times. I got to work with some incredibly talented people and learn about a business I would not have known anything about otherwise. I like the storytelling aspect of the show and of the television programming on the History Channel. I never realized how hard it was to relate/share an experience like what we do, on camera and then TV. It takes teamwork, trust in one another and patience. I’m very hopeful the story of craft and history, which is so important to me, comes through to the viewers.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE SERIES PREMIERE PROMO.