Heating, Cooling, Appliance Repair & Refrigeration Experts in the DFW & Surrounding Areas
With the bustling Asian Town center, the busy corridors of Josey Lane, and the steady expansion of new companies in a city that moves as fast as Carrollton, it is simple to feel like we are constantly running toward the future. Our attention is on the “new”: new eateries, new educational institutions, new technology.
But should you decline Perry Road, you will find something that stops time altogether.
A silent, graceful reminder of our past is the A.W. Perry Homestead Museum. It is not just a historic residence; it is Carrollton’s soul. Built in 1909, this building has survived more than a century of Texan storms, scorching heat waves, and the conversion of a rural farming town into a contemporary suburb.
Local people cherish it as a favorite landmark, a destination for community photography, school field trips, and a link to our pioneer past. For those of us employed in the home service sector, nevertheless, the Perry Homestead means something much more significant. It’s a master course on resilience.
Consider this: how might a wooden structure survive in the tough North Texas climate for more than a century? Care, maintenance, and a great respect for the construction itself hold the solution.
Serving the Carrollton community at Longhorn, we think every house should have respect. It is your own “Homestead” whether your home was built just last year or in the 1970s. This is where your family narrative is being written. It also needs, like the museum, the appropriate setting to survive.
Through the science of contemporary climate control, let’s go over the past of the A.W. Perry Homestead and see what this local jewel can help us with preserving our own homes.
When you walk up the steps of the A.W. Perry Homestead, the first thing you notice is the craftsmanship. This isn’t the cookie cutter construction we sometimes see today. This is a home built with intention.
Originally settling this property far back in the middle of the 1800s were Dewitt Perry and his wife, Sarah. But the house we see today was constructed in 1909 employing supplies reclaimed from an earlier structure on the property. That is, in itself, a sustainability lesson: taking the ancient and giving it fresh life.
Victorian meets Texas Farmhouse in the design. High ceilings, huge windows meant to capture the cross breeze (nature’s original cooling), and strong wooden floor that has witnessed the steps of generations are among its characteristics.
Through the rooms, you see the family bible, the original furniture, and the equipment of everyday life from a century ago. It seems close. The Perry Homestead appears lived-in unlike big museums when everything is behind thick glass. You can nearly taste the Sunday feasts simmering on the wood-burning stove or hear the family in the living room chatting.
The experience does not end at the front entrance. Carrollton’s hidden treasure is the park of 13 acres nearby. This is where history and nature meet. You will see old trees that must have sheltered the Perry family for years.
Hosting activities like the “Old Fashioned Christmas” or open-air concerts, it acts as a meeting ground for the neighborhood. It makes us see that a house is the setting around it, not only the walls. About how the interior relates to the outside.
But let’s pause and look at this from a structural perspective. Wood is organic. It decays. Paint peels. Foundations shift. The fact that the Perry Homestead is still standing strong is not an accident. In 1975, the City of Carrollton recognized its value and stepped in to preserve it. They understood that if you don’t actively maintain a structure, the Texas climate will destroy it.
They invested in restoration. They invested in maintenance. They ensured that the “bones” of the house were protected from moisture and heat.
Join our Comfort Club membership and received a 20% discount on all repairs, two maintenance visits a year, and priority scheduling!
Most people think of their Air Conditioner as a luxury to keep them from sweating while watching TV. At Longhorn, we challenge you to think bigger. We view your HVAC system as a Preservation Engine.
If the A.W. Perry Homestead teaches us that maintenance is key to longevity, here is how modern technology allows you to apply that lesson to your own castle.
The stunning wood floors in the Perry house have survived because they have been cared for. In your modern Carrollton home, your hardwood floors are likely one of your biggest investments.
The Threat: High humidity. When the humidity in your home creeps above 60% (which happens often in our rainy seasons), wood absorbs that moisture like a sponge. It swells. This causes “cupping” (where the edges of the planks curl up) or buckling. Conversely, if the air is too dry in winter, the wood shrinks and gaps appear.
The Longhorn Solution: We install systems that master the art of Dehumidification. Instead of a system that just blasts cold air and shuts off (leaving the air damp), we recommend Variable Speed Systems. These units run at a lower setting for longer periods. This allows them to gently pull moisture out of the air all day long, maintaining a stable humidity level of around 45-50%. This stability is what preserves your wood floors, your cabinets, and even your antique furniture, ensuring they last for generations.
Carrollton houses span a range of builds, not only new ones. Established in the 70s and 80s, we have lovely communities. Like the Perry Homestead, these houses have solid foundations, mature trees, and personality. They also have more ancient ductwork, smaller attics, and insulation issues.
Homeowners typically wonder: “If I update my AC, will I need to disassemble my walls?” The Perry Museum curators ran into comparable difficulties: Modern comfort addition without damaging the past is achieved how?
The Longhorn Approach: We specialize in Retrofitting. We understand the unique architecture of Carrollton’s established neighborhoods. We can install high efficiency systems that work with your existing structure, not against it.
Walk into the Perry Homestead, and it smells like history, old wood and polish. But you don’t want your home to smell “old.” You want it to smell fresh. Older homes, and even newer airtight ones, can trap pollutants. Dust, pollen from the cottonwood trees in the parks, and mold spores can circulate endlessly.
The Detox: Preservation isn’t just about the structure; it’s about the people inside. We install Hospital Grade Filtration and Air Scrubbers directly into your HVAC system. These technologies actively neutralize mold spores and bacteria. It turns your central air system into a massive air purifier. This ensures that your home is a sanctuary for your family’s health, protecting you from the allergens that are so common in the Trinity River valley.
The Perry family lived off the land. They were efficient because they had to be. Today, efficiency means something different: Lower Energy Bills. Keeping a historic home cool can be expensive if you are using outdated technology. The same applies to your 1990s two story home.
The Upgrade: Modern Inverter Technology (which we specialize in) uses a fraction of the electricity of older units. By modulating its power consumption based on real time needs, it ensures you aren’t wasting money. It’s the modern equivalent of the Perry family conserving their resources smart, sustainable, and responsible.
The museum is located at 1509 N. Perry Road, Carrollton, TX 75006, nestled within Pearl Perry Gravely Park. It is easily accessible from Belt Line Road and offers free tours, though donations are appreciated to help with preservation efforts.
Absolutely. This is our specialty. For older homes with limited space for ductwork, we often recommend “High Velocity” systems or Ductless Mini Splits. These solutions provide powerful, efficient cooling without the need to tear down plaster walls or lower your ceilings.
Creaking is the sound of wood moving. In summer, humidity causes the wood to swell and rub together. In winter, dry heat causes it to shrink and loosen. Installing a Whole Home Dehumidifier and Humidifier system keeps the wood stable year round, silencing those creaks and protecting the floor.
Yes, the museum offers tours Tuesday through Thursday and on Saturdays. However, the surrounding park is open daily. It is a fantastic spot for a picnic, but be aware that Texas heat can be intense. Make sure your home is cool and ready for your return!
Just like a historic home needs regular inspections, your HVAC system needs bi annual maintenance (Spring and Fall). Regular servicing ensures coils are clean, drains are clear, and parts are lubricated, which can double the lifespan of your unit and prevent costly emergency breakdowns
