Historic Provo home gets ‘five-star’ makeover

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Habitat for Humanity of Utah County and Five Star Painting teamed up to provide restorations to the 139-year-old George Taylor Jr. House in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 27.

The goal of the activity was to bring the home up to safety standards and prepare it for move-in while, at the same time, preserving its historic integrity. The event was special to many involved, not only for the chance to improve the physical appearance of the community but for the chance to change the life of the Blair family.

The home is being prepared for the Blairs, a family of seven, with children ranging from ages 3 to 13. The Blairs applied to Habitat for Humanity, the current owner of the Taylor House, for a program that would allow them to upgrade from their current residence — an 800-square-foot, 2-bedroom duplex. Thanks to Habitat for Humanity, Five Star Painting, and other volunteer groups, the house will be in perhaps the best condition it has been in since it was built by the Taylor family.

The home, located at 187 N. 400 West, was built in the 1880s and is one of only a few remaining homes in Provo that accurately represent the architecture of that time. It features a cross-wing layout and modified temple plan that was popular during the Greek Revival — a European and American architectural movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

According to the George Thomas Taylor family histories, Taylor was the son of Mormon pioneers. The home has an exciting legacy, including a history of Native Americans coming to visit and stay with the Taylor family. George Taylor’s neighbors were used to seeing the natives pitching tents on the Taylors’ lawn, eating meals with the family and sometimes coming inside to stay with the Taylors.

Today, instead of native locals, the individuals coming to visit the Taylor House are employees from a paint company in Spanish Fork. Scott Abbott, CEO of Five Star Painting, said the company is involved in the project to serve the community and that it is committed to doing a good job with the home improvements.

“Five Star Painting incorporates the values of quality, affordability, expertise, recognition and integrity in every project we undertake,” Abbott said.

From painting the trim and baseboards to patching up holes, members of Five Star Painting and Habitat for Humanity pitched in on Sept. 27 to help change a building and change lives. In the end, it was a success.

“The event went great,” said Ranee Stam, who was in charge of marketing for Saturday’s event.

Everything is on schedule for the home to continue to be a decorative part of the Provo landscape.

Five Star Painting’s headquarters is also accepting food donations to fill the pantry for the Blair family. Drop off unopened, nonperishable food items at 1570 N. Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah. Visit habitatuc.org to make financial donations to the project. For more information about Five Star Cares, please visit fivestarpainting.com/cares

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