Last updated: June 2025
This site exists to share what I learn about old houses, their history, and how to care for them. I take your privacy as seriously as I take the responsibility of documenting a structure’s original fabric. This policy explains what information I collect, why I collect it, and what I do with it.
Who I am
My name is Eleanor Vance. I run Mill River Steeple as a personal project. It is not a company, and I am not a data broker. When you share something with this site, you are sharing it with me.
What information I collect
I collect very little, and only what is necessary for the site to function or for you to participate voluntarily.
- Newsletter subscriptions: If you sign up to receive updates about historic properties and preservation, I ask for your name and email address. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in every email.
- Contact messages: If you reach out through the contact form, I receive your name, email address, and whatever you choose to write. I keep those messages only as long as needed to respond and maintain a reasonable record of correspondence.
- Comments: If you leave a comment on a post, the site stores your name, email, and comment text. Your email is never displayed publicly.
- Technical data: Like almost every website, this one automatically logs certain technical information when you visit: your IP address, browser type, referring page, and time of visit. This happens through server logs and through a privacy-respecting analytics tool I use to understand how people find and use the site.
How I use this information
- To send you the newsletter you signed up for, and occasional updates about major new content or resources.
- To respond to your questions or messages.
- To improve the site — for example, knowing which articles are most read helps me decide what to research next.
- To keep the site secure and troubleshoot technical problems.
I do not use your information to make automated decisions, to profile you, or to sell you anything. I do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information with anyone.
Cookies
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites you visit. This site uses a few necessary and optional cookies:
- Functional cookies: These remember basic preferences (like whether you have dismissed a notice) and keep the site working smoothly. They do not track you across other sites.
- Analytics cookies: I use a simple, privacy-focused analytics tool (such as Plausible or self-hosted Matomo) that does not use cookies to build a personal profile. If I ever switch to a tool that sets cookies for analytics, I will update this policy and give you a clear way to opt out.
Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies. If you choose to block cookies, the site will still work, though some minor features may behave differently.
Third-party services
I rely on a few trusted services to run the site:
- Web host: The server that delivers the site to your browser necessarily processes your IP address and other technical data. My hosting provider has its own privacy and security commitments.
- Email newsletter service: If you subscribe, your name and email are stored with a reputable email delivery provider so I can send you messages reliably. That provider does not use your data for its own purposes.
- Analytics: As mentioned, I use a privacy-conscious analytics tool that aggregates data without identifying individuals.
I do not embed third-party trackers, advertising networks, or social media pixels that follow you around the web.
How long I keep your data
- Newsletter subscriptions remain active until you unsubscribe.
- Contact messages are kept for up to one year after the conversation ends, then deleted.
- Comments remain on the site until you ask me to remove them.
- Technical logs are rotated and deleted automatically within a short period (typically 30 days).
Your rights over your data
You have the right to ask what personal information I hold about you, to correct it if it is wrong, and to ask me to delete it. To make any of these requests, just email me at the address below. I will respond within a reasonable timeframe, usually within a few days.
If you are in the European Economic Area, you have additional rights under the GDPR, including the right to data portability and the right to object to certain processing. This site’s lawful basis for processing your personal data is either your consent (for newsletters and comments) or legitimate interest (for technical and security-related data).
Security
I take reasonable precautions to protect your information — from keeping software up to date to using encrypted connections (HTTPS). However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, and I cannot guarantee absolute security.
Children’s privacy
This site is not directed at children under 13, and I do not knowingly collect information from anyone under that age. If you believe a child has provided personal data, please contact me so I can remove it.
Changes to this policy
If I ever change how I handle personal information, I will update this page and, where appropriate, notify newsletter subscribers. The date at the top of the page will always show when the policy was last revised.
Contact
For any privacy-related questions or requests, you can reach me at:
Eleanor Vance
Email: [email protected]
Or via the contact form on this site.
This policy was written with the same care I bring to documenting a house’s history — plainly, honestly, and without unnecessary jargon. Thank you for trusting me with your attention.