The Story

This is not the beginning of the story. 

The story begins over twenty-three years ago when Lillian Merritt is brought home to a 100-year-old house. She will one day grow up to adore the old and abandoned houses strewn across the country. 

And yet, even that isn’t the true beginning of the story. One would have to go back to the very first house that was left abandoned. The first home to end up empty, forgotten, and slowly rotting away over time. That would be an adequate start to the story that picks up with Lillian’s passion to do something about the fading stories found in abandoned buildings. 

What began as a deep-rooted desire to see historic properties returned to life transformed into a plan to combine this desire with her love for the arts. And so ReStory was born. A historic home taken from its abandoned state and transformed into the foundation for an artist residency, giving these structures a second life while supporting the artistic industry. 

As an artist herself, Lillian Merritt understands the importance of space in the creation process. Inspiring surroundings filled with story can add an intriguing layer of inspiration to the Artist’s process. This is why the stories and beauty once apparent in these old structures are brought back to life to serve as inspiration for future creation. 

With ReStory Arts Foundation, each residency space is unique from the next. Revitalized and saved historic properties provide the foundation for time and space away from the chaos of normal life for artists looking to dedicate themselves to their craft.