Cape Cod Restorers Are Stars of New HGTV Series Coming This Fall

A new show is coming to HGTV, starring a trio of Massachusetts natives that have dedicated their lives to historic real estate. Houses with History follows Jennifer MacDonald, Mike Lemieux, and Rich Soares through Plymouth County and the surrounding areas as they transform 18th and 19th century homes into brand new ones, all while keeping their rich history intact.

MacDonald and Lemieux have known each other for decades. They went to high school together in Sandwich, went their separate ways, then reconnected 20 years later, where they instantly connected over their passion for real estate and history. Lemieux’s father was a carpenter in Sandwich, working on many historic homes during his time. MacDonald’s mother and grandmother worked at the Thornton W. Burgess Museum as historians.

“You could say the love of history runs in our veins,” MacDonald said.

They started working on rental properties at first, then their attention turned to distressed, antique homes that needed serious work. RSoares, Lemieux’s roommate in college, came on board to be their carpenter, and shortly after, Full Circle Homes was formed. They created a business out of restoring weathered homes or transforming modern homes with an 18th century aesthetic.

One of their biggest fans was John Knight of New Kids on the Block.

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“John came to look at a house we were working on,” recalled MacDonald. “We were walking through the house, and he loved it. He said, ‘This is crazy, you guys need your own show.’”

Knight put them in contact with High Noon Entertainment, the producers of other HGTV shows like Fixer Upper and Good Bones. After High Noon learned more about the masterminds behind Full Circle Homes, they immediately wrote a show centered around their life.

“It’s definitely different from your typical HGTV show,” MacDonald said. “They dive into the history of each house we renovate, and they make it interesting.”

There was no pilot for the show, so the team has yet to see the finished series, but MacDonald was able to share the outline of what the show will look like as they renovate these historic homes in towns like Kingston and Barnstable.

“We pick houses that have historic aspects that are really old, and a lot of times, need a of work that others aren’t willing to do," she said. "You will see the before and you will see the finished home, and you’ll learn about the house’s history throughout the transformation.”

Season 1 of Houses with History will feature six episodes, premiering September 29 at 9 p.m. on HGTV.