Not so long ago I travelled with a neighbour to her childhood haunts in Lennox and Addington county. She showed me places with personal significance for her in Napanee and Tamworth and rural spots between. It was a lovely day, and Elaine graciously indulged my need to snap photos of houses everywhere we went.
I was taking a few shots of this house. It is known as "the old Wheeler house." Someone has taken the time to create a home-made historic plaque, commemorating the house as the first frame house built in Tamworth, around 1832, by the village's founder, Calvin Wheeler. It has some Greek Revival roots in its gable end orientation to the street. I also noted the Regency inspired vernacular version of an awning roof. The plain white house was sided in wood, rather than the ubiquitous vinyl siding, which preserved the eaves returns and plain window surrounds. A woman appeared at the door, and asked if we would like to come in. I ran back to the car to collect my friend and prepare her for a treat. A few moments earlier Elaine had explained wistfully that this house was a place where she had spent many happy hours as a child.
We had a great visit. The woman was very heritage minded and was restoring the house on a budget, delighting in small discoveries (she was making a shadow box display from a number of door latches and other hardware). She and Elaine prowled through the house, upstairs and down. Elaine got to share many childhood memories, and I snapped away happily.
As Steven Leacock said, "History is everywhere". We all have some. Let's remember to celebrate and share it.
What a lovely surprise to be invited in by the owner of this modest-looking little house. Perhaps you gave the owner as much pleasure by showing your interest as you gained through her openness.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a real pleasure to have these two ladies in our home and to learn a little bit more of the history of previous owners. During the summer of 2012 we had the asphalt shingled roof replaced with a Galvalume Steel one. The roofer discovered the original roofing boards across the roof trusses rather than the more modern plywood. The original boards were still in very good shape so, rather than replace them, he renailed them! On part of the roof he found the original cedar shingles (I think he called them No. 1 grade) and they were still in good shape as well. He did have to remove them to put the steel roof on.
DeleteMy 3rd great-grandfather was Calvin Wheeler. I visited the town of Tamworth 2 yrs ago, and saw the house from the outside - it was up for sale at the time.
ReplyDeleteIf your neighbor Elaine wants to contact me as we might be related, my email is: suewood@knology.net
I just came across your post now by googling for the wheeler house, I was telling a friend in Genealogy about it. Calvin Wheeler is my 3rd great-grandfather as well. The realtor had a virtual tour you could do when it was for sale.
ReplyDelete