THE WILLOW TREE

    We've just bought a new old house.   It is called The Willow Tree, a historic property built on 160 acres originally (and now consisting of five) in 1830 and then later purchased by Captain Newell Kerr,  who fought in the Civil War.   The house was also part of the Underground Railroad used to hide slaves coming from the South to freedom in the North.   It will be the home of my son and family but I  say "we," as this is going to be a family affair with all of us working many long hours to bring the home and grounds back to its original glory.   It will be a LOT of work.   There is a very large spring-fed pond immediately in back of the home, with several large barns, another one-room "house," and a spring house (summer kitchen) which was listed by the Ohio Historical Society as the best example of a spring house in the State of Ohio.   The main barn has for many years been a very popular place for weddings and events, so it will not only be a home, but a business as well.   We got the keys today, and now the fun (?) begins.  There are four fireplaces on the first floor with original mantles, lots of built-in cupboards, original pine floors and, oh, did I mention it will be a lot of work?  I hope to take you along as we restore the We won't be able to begin inside until the house has heat again (the former owners took the heating system with them!), so right now we are trying to figure out what to do first.  The pond is overgrown with watercress, so much so that you can't even see where the grass ends and the water begins.  In almost 200 years there's never been a proper kitchen in the house.  We had to choose in which room to put it.  It is truly a blank slate.   Did I mention there's going to be a lot of work?   But we're full of enthusiasm and ideas, if that counts for anything.