I've got a mess of old buildings on my camera roll, so I just loved this. They absolutely have personalities, and it must have been good fun to channel each of these. My husband and I spent last summer renovating an old house in Louisiana, and if she could talk she'd have said plenty! Would love to know more about how you came upon each of these.
That old house in Louisiana is a story waiting to be told, I'm sure, Rita. I'm glad you enjoyed this one! I can tell you where I came across each of the buildings in this piece. Most were fairly local. I have the good fortune of visiting a lot of farms, where structures like these are common. Tizzy is from a property about 5 miles away from me, where I used to pick up fresh eggs, until the foxes and hawks got all the chickens. Will is south of me, by a couple of hours, in the tiny town on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Pearl lives just around the corner from me. Her owner, something of a renaissance man, takes very good care of her. Chance was falling into neglect and under threat of demolition in his original home, so he got floated off to a new location. Amazing story here: https://eastonhousemove.com/gallery. Chuck was also in what we call the "lower shore" not too far from Will. Only one, June, was discovered far from home. She lives in Maine near a very good friend of mine.
I love old buildings! My dad had the eye to view old train stations and warehouses and see them through their next lives. He did some marvelous renovations and kept their histories alive at the same time.
I now live in the Midwest and am drawn to the old brick school houses that dot the more rural areas. When I was a young child, my folks bought one and added on a wing. It was lovely and we had huge trees, a large flag pole / lightening rod(lol) in front and the sturdy remains of the enormous swings, and teetertotter in back. My dad moved the outhouse, cut the bottom off and made us a wonderful playhouse.
When I see those old schoolhouses or empty country churches, I long to move them and give them new life...the stories they might tell!
Old train stations are the best, Sue! In fact, someone just moved one right here in my little community. It now lives on the main drag through town, and we're all excited about seeing it restored. I love that your dad was a story keeper in that way. I can't imagine the joy of growing up in a reclaimed building like that, complete with...erm....out buildings. Did you ever come across other artifacts from its previous life? Thanks so much for sharing this part of your own story. So great!
Expert House Movers orchestrated the actual move. It was floated up river to Queenstown on a barge. You can learn more here: https://eastonhousemove.com/gallery
The project was the talk of the town for a while. People said it made no financial sense, so how great that there are those who are willing to invest in historic preservation.
I talk to Little House all the time. It never answers me back but I'm sure the walls would have such a lovely story to tell of the previous owner and his wife and how the petite place was built piecemeal.
In Mum's family home, there'd be some doozies of stories, some of which I've been party to - all stashed away for another book...
Imagine what the walls and doors would say in historic properties. Or a little cornershop telling us of customers through the ages. Imagine an old bookshop! I've lately had a penchant for fictions about bookshops and stationers.
That's the nice thing about imagination, Elizabeth. We can 'tell' the stories we imagine the houses to have. It's very Anne of Green Gables, isn't it?
Yes, it is! You must know that I am now picturing you talking to Little House. Are you quite sure she doesn't answer back? I sometimes think my extended family was too "normal." That or I've not dug deep enough. A book of doozies sounds like a fun read!
I've got a mess of old buildings on my camera roll, so I just loved this. They absolutely have personalities, and it must have been good fun to channel each of these. My husband and I spent last summer renovating an old house in Louisiana, and if she could talk she'd have said plenty! Would love to know more about how you came upon each of these.
That old house in Louisiana is a story waiting to be told, I'm sure, Rita. I'm glad you enjoyed this one! I can tell you where I came across each of the buildings in this piece. Most were fairly local. I have the good fortune of visiting a lot of farms, where structures like these are common. Tizzy is from a property about 5 miles away from me, where I used to pick up fresh eggs, until the foxes and hawks got all the chickens. Will is south of me, by a couple of hours, in the tiny town on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Pearl lives just around the corner from me. Her owner, something of a renaissance man, takes very good care of her. Chance was falling into neglect and under threat of demolition in his original home, so he got floated off to a new location. Amazing story here: https://eastonhousemove.com/gallery. Chuck was also in what we call the "lower shore" not too far from Will. Only one, June, was discovered far from home. She lives in Maine near a very good friend of mine.
I love old buildings! My dad had the eye to view old train stations and warehouses and see them through their next lives. He did some marvelous renovations and kept their histories alive at the same time.
I now live in the Midwest and am drawn to the old brick school houses that dot the more rural areas. When I was a young child, my folks bought one and added on a wing. It was lovely and we had huge trees, a large flag pole / lightening rod(lol) in front and the sturdy remains of the enormous swings, and teetertotter in back. My dad moved the outhouse, cut the bottom off and made us a wonderful playhouse.
When I see those old schoolhouses or empty country churches, I long to move them and give them new life...the stories they might tell!
Old train stations are the best, Sue! In fact, someone just moved one right here in my little community. It now lives on the main drag through town, and we're all excited about seeing it restored. I love that your dad was a story keeper in that way. I can't imagine the joy of growing up in a reclaimed building like that, complete with...erm....out buildings. Did you ever come across other artifacts from its previous life? Thanks so much for sharing this part of your own story. So great!
Someone willing to move an old brick building is a brave soul. And skilled.
Expert House Movers orchestrated the actual move. It was floated up river to Queenstown on a barge. You can learn more here: https://eastonhousemove.com/gallery
The project was the talk of the town for a while. People said it made no financial sense, so how great that there are those who are willing to invest in historic preservation.
You've brought beauty to what most would pass over.
I'm glad you think so, Holly. Thanks for reading and responding!
Fabulousness.
Thank, Courtney. Really glad you enjoyed it!
I talk to Little House all the time. It never answers me back but I'm sure the walls would have such a lovely story to tell of the previous owner and his wife and how the petite place was built piecemeal.
In Mum's family home, there'd be some doozies of stories, some of which I've been party to - all stashed away for another book...
Imagine what the walls and doors would say in historic properties. Or a little cornershop telling us of customers through the ages. Imagine an old bookshop! I've lately had a penchant for fictions about bookshops and stationers.
That's the nice thing about imagination, Elizabeth. We can 'tell' the stories we imagine the houses to have. It's very Anne of Green Gables, isn't it?
Yes, it is! You must know that I am now picturing you talking to Little House. Are you quite sure she doesn't answer back? I sometimes think my extended family was too "normal." That or I've not dug deep enough. A book of doozies sounds like a fun read!
What glorious listening you did, Elizabeth -- and what chatty neighbors you have! 😊 They're grateful you took time to hear them out, and so am I.
Wouldn't want them to feel invisible, right? :) Thank you for reading and commenting. Grateful for your presence here.
Oh, what fun! This is making me look at buildings in an entirely new way - I loved this post, Elizabeth!
Thanks, Rebecca. I imagine you have quite a few old beauties where you are!