Historic home gets facelift

The Waseca Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) presented the HPC award to Mikhail Rostislavovich during their regular meeting Monday, July 10 for his work preserving and restoring the large, three-story brick house on the 600 block of North State Street also known by the names of its previous owners, Moonan, Alexander, or Driessen.

After receiving the award, Rostislavovich talked about the journey he undertook to complete the restoration. Rostislavovich and his brother, Dwight Tostenson, who are both in their late 60s now, had been known to “flip houses” in the past when they were younger. Rostislavovich prefers not to use the term “flipping houses” because he says what they do goes beyond the typical meaning of the term. Rostislavovich and Tostenson put the house back to the time period when it was first built. Together they have restored around eight houses, Rostislavovich said, although this has been the first house they have restored and lived in. 

But when Rostislavovich drove past the Moonan house in the fall of 2021 and saw it in disarray, he said he knew they had to save it, knowing it would be an asset to the community. The daunting project took over 14 months, according to Rostislavovich, as the house had severe plumbing problems and a lot of water damage from not being used and cared for. The brothers enlisted the help of Brett and Allison Byers with Byers Choice Construction LLC in Waseca and Tostenson’s son Hans and together they fixed the plumbing, refurbished the wood and replaced 150 sheets of drywall and 77 windows. 

Rostislavovich said the house, built in 1916, still has its original ceilings and stained glass work as the team worked to preserve them during the remodeling. 

At the HPC meeting, one which Representative John Petersburg attended, Rostislavovich thanked the commission and stressed the importance of the HPC, calling the commission a “shining star” in a community that cares. Rostislavovich invited all who attended the meeting to the house, saying he had opened the entire house for people to venture in. 

Excited Waseca residents and HPC board members toured the three-story house, marveling at the workmanship and the selection of carefully picked Victorian collectables Rostislavovich chose to decorate the house with, bringing the visitors a glance to what the house might have looked like when it was built. Guests toured the music room with a grand piano, a library, kitchen and dining room on the main floor and bedroom suites on the top two floors, while maneuvering a staircase that spans all three floors. 

James Ebertowski, HPC and city council member, said “the word ‘amazing’ doesn’t describe it” when he toured the house after the HPC meeting. 

Now, Rostislavovich and Tostenson both live in the house. Rostislavovich is retired and holds a variety of positions with many boards including the Waseca Arts Center, Prairie Lakes Board, Exchange Board and the Historical Society. 

“That is what I do when I move into a community,” Rostislavovich explained about his plentiful participation in civic organizations. “It’s a way for me to participate, learn more about, and give back to the community.” Tostenson, while working towards retirement himself, is the CEO and president of The Redemption Project, a program that works with employers to provide inmates with mentoring opportunities while incarcerated and meaningful employment upon release.