Who Are the Hosts of HGTV's Show 'Houses With History'?
Updated March 7 2023, 3:13 p.m. ET
We love an HGTV show, and if it focuses on restoring old homes, even better. Houses with History takes place primarily in Plymouth, Mass., where you can't throw a (Plymouth) rock without hitting a centuries-old home. As for the show's hosts, let's meet Mike Lemieux, Jen MacDonald, and Rich Soares.
Who are the hosts of HGTV's 'Houses with History'? Meet Mike Lemieux and his team.
Most HGTV programs have more than one host, and Houses with History is no exception. Three people are behind this restoration show, and each brings something unique to the process. Mike Lemieux and Jen MacDonald are married, and together they own Full Circle Homes, which specializes in home remodeling. In a sneak peek of the show, Mike said, "I'm at my core just a huge history geek."
Jen is in charge of all the design work. Last year, she spoke with WBZ-TV for their It Happens Here series where she said, "We really are pouring our hearts and souls into this and want to save every historic home. It’s a piece of history you can never get back once it's torn down.”
Rich Soares is the resident carpenter. According to his Instagram, he lives in Cape Cod, where he has a thriving woodworking business and is married with four children.
Interestingly enough, a former member of the New Kids on the Block was responsible for the show's creation. Jonathan Knight, star of HGTV's Farmhouse Fixer, was looking at a property the couple was working on when he said, "You guys should have your own show." One quick sizzle reel later, and they were greenlit for the entire series.
'Houses with History' hosts Mike and Jen are married with children.
Mike and Jen are classic high school sweethearts, who have been married for quite some time. The two keep their personal lives rather private (using their social media presence to share restoration updates over personal life stories).
Mike and Jen reportedly have two kids — a daughter named Karissa, and a second child whose name remains unknown, according to Meaww. It also remains unclear when exactly the couple tied the knot.
'Houses with History' is already stirring up controversy.
The show describes the houses featured as being "built by our forefathers," and some people on social media take issue with that. At the time some of these homes were built, slavery was still legal in Massachusetts. According to Slate's "The History of American Slavery" series, in the 1764-1765 census, Massachusetts reported 5,779 slaves, which was 2.5 percent of the total population.
'Houses with History' films mostly in Plymouth, across several different counties.
Most of the filming for Houses with History takes place in Plymouth, Mass. Some of the counties seen in the show include Pembroke, Plympton, Kingston, Duxbury, Marshfield, Middleboro, Carver, West Barnstable, Sandwich, and Bourne, according to PatriotLedger.
According to MassLive, the Houses With History crew was also seen filming at the Brimfield Flea Market following the show's season 2 renewal. They filmed on the Hertan's Field and the New England Motel Field, and those entering consented to being on camera.
Houses With History premieres Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 9 p.m. EST on HGTV and Discovery Plus.
