Expert: Rikki Nyman - 7/16/2009

Question
I’m fascinated by the smell of older buildings.  I’m not talking about “bad” smells, in fact some of them I rather enjoy. Recently I was in an older building with marble floors and it had the more unique smell, I loved it.  It very well could have been some kind of cleaning agent, but it didn’t smell like any cleaning agent I’d ever encountered.  What causes a smell in older buildings?  Is this typical?  I’ve also been in other buildings that always have a smell to them, once again, not a bad smell but a smell distinctive to that building.

Answer
Jim -

I have to say this is one of the more intriguing questions I've received!

I know the smell you are talking about and to be quite honest, I don't have a scientific answer for you. To me, it's the smell of history ... old wood, plaster, stone, wood smoke, ancient heating and water systems, beeswax polish, elbow grease, and the scent of generations of lives that have passed within its walls.

Not much of an answer, I know. It's a smell that some of us love and others never really notice. Maybe it accounts in some small way for the passion preservationists have for their buildings.

Best regards,
Rikki Nyman
www.antiquehomestyle.com