I have always preferred older houses to new ones. I love the character of the architecture, the warmth of the wood, and the way older homes seem to become individuals. Sometimes I wonder what stories they could tell if the walls really could talk.
Our house was built in 1914, making it 97 years old. We have lived in it for 22 years, almost a quarter of its life. I know next to nothing about the people who sold it to us, and nothing at all of the ones who lived here before that. Their lives are part of the history here though, and the house knows it all.
Right now the house is revealing some of its secrets. We are updating the kitchen and this is what we found beneath the cabinets. Layers of floors from years ago, and years before that. I love that it looks like a map. This whole process feels archaeological as we uncover original lath and plaster and old knob-and-tube wiring. It’s all still there, under the surface.
Because houses change. They have to. Frankly, I’ll be thrilled to have drawers that don’t screech every time I pull them open, and cabinets that allow access to the corner spaces that have been black holes. I don’t think the house minds the changes we are making. We’re doing our best to honor the original.
And it feels nice to connect with a past that has been hidden away all these years. This is a good house. A good place to hold our stories.
Have you thought of what stories you’d like to hide as you renovate, Dorothy? I am sure the house would love to reveal them 100 years from now!
Hmmm. This is starting to sound like a movie.
I should write a letter to the future owners and hide it behind the new cabinets.
Have you considered looking up your house in the local county or historical society (if it exists) records? I was able to find my house in the county’s Historical Society (San Mateo), and learned many things about previous residents, such as one being a local politician and another a ‘dramtic reader’ in the 1930′s. It didn’t give me a the kind of information I had hoped for, but the real gem was in finding pictures from the 1950′s and 1970′s of my house and the neighborhood. By the way, my house is 99 years old and I relate to the squeaky drawers you have!
The letter idea sounds fantastic.
I love your work and your blog. I grew up a couple blocks from you, but you were a few years ahead of me in school and wouldn’t have known me, though I was in the same class as your youngest sister.
Thank you so much for commenting, Chris! I might take your advice and see if there are any records on our house. I have such fond memories of the old neighborhood in Burlingame. Our house there could tell some stories!