Living Tastefully
  • Home
  • Passions-to-Pastry Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Recipes

THE WILLOW TREE

1/11/2012

7 Comments

 
Picture
    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.  
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture





7 Comments
Margo link
1/13/2012 05:51:36 am

How exciting! A lot of work to be sure, but a lot of joy in restoring a historic home to its former glory.

Reply
Susan link
1/18/2012 01:17:48 am

Susan, what excitement!! So looking forward to your progress on this magnificent property. Hmmm..might need a couple of trips to Europe to find "just the right" pieces for this home. Susan

Reply
Chris
1/19/2012 09:24:33 pm

Susan,
What an amazingly, beautiful home and I am sure it will be even more beautiful by the time you are finished putting your own touches on it!!! Have fun with it and document your journey along the way. Maybe you can get HGTV to do a special with you? Best wishes:)

Reply
Kate
1/19/2012 11:08:15 pm

What a smashing home! Thank you for posting the photos... I originally saw the house on LT homepage and when Eileen wrote it was purchased and will be restored I was hoping for a tour. It's amazing!! Looking forward to photos and progress on your labor of love, and I know it's LABOR as my husband restored an 1857 limestone that we will be calling home shortly. Your off to a better start... he had to start by totally gutting the wall to bare studs. He has done restoration for many clients, as a mason, and will love to see the fireplaces. The furnace needed replacement at our place and he installed radiant heat in the floor. Good luck with your heating resolution...as you know..plastered walls need heat!

Reply
Tom @ Tall Clover Farm link
1/31/2012 10:39:20 pm

I would say the decorative slate roof is reason enough alone to buy this stunning home and property. After eight years of remodeling my old 1888 farmhouse (well, old for the west coast), I still have plenty of projects. All I have to do is look back on old photos to know we (the house and I) have come a long way. Good thing neither of us is in any big hurry.

Reply
Tom @ Tall Clover Farm link
2/16/2012 09:25:31 pm

Susan, please be sure and post any old photos of the house if and when available. I'd be interested in seeing, what the original front porch and side screened porch looked like as a reference.

Reply
Susan link
2/17/2012 11:03:05 am

Tom, we would love to see old photos of the house, too. On our To Do list is to go to the local historical society to see if they may have some. Just haven't gotten there yet. We heard a lady who purchased it in the 1970s did a major renovation inside, probably updating the electric, etc. I'll be sure to post some old photos if we're lucky enough to find any.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    May 2015
    March 2015
    December 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    May 2012
    January 2012
    October 2011
    May 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    May 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009
    January 2009
    November 2008
    September 2008
    August 2008
    May 2008
    April 2008
    March 2008
    February 2008
    January 2008
    December 2007
    November 2007

    Susan's Page

    Welcome to Living Tastefully’s “Antique of the Week” page.  Our love of antiques is reflected in every aspect of our everyday lives.    We are passionate about collecting and also love functional antiques that can actually be used and not only admired.   Hopefully we can inspire you to incorporate antiques in your home and your life to add charm and beauty to your surroundings. 





    Categories

    All
    A Garden Urn
    Americana And Folk Art
    Animals On Wheels
    Antique Pastry Prints
    Anton Reiche Marzipan Molds
    Charming Sarreguemines
    Crockery Bowls
    Easter Erzgebirge
    Erzgebirge Soldiers
    Figural Coffeepots
    Frames
    French Mirror9f00eb67ba
    German Blue And White
    German Candy Containers
    German Mechanical Toys
    German Spice Chests
    German Squeak Toys
    Made In Amana Furniture
    Made In Amana Tinware
    Made In Amana Willow Baskets
    Majolica
    Needlework Tools
    Noahs Arks
    Ohio Stoneware
    Old Salem Toy Auction And A Visit To Remember
    Ready For Spring
    Skinners Auction
    Springerle Molds
    The Willow Tree
    Toys
    Trade Signs
    Tramp Art
    Tramp Art And Folk Art


    Links

    Antiques Diva
    Dresden Ornament


    RSS Feed




  • Home
  • Passions-to-Pastry Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Recipes