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.
7 Comments
Chris
1/19/2012 09:24:33 pm
Susan,
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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