This Old House

My husband and I spent the first ten years or so of our marriage in an old duplex he bought back in the late 80's. It's approaching the century mark and has all the quirks and class and charm of a house that age. Recently, we had a rare break between tenants; enough time to clean thoroughly and make repairs, and reminisce. Whenever I get to indulge in cleaning my old house, I think back to birthdays and holidays, fun times and sad times, all the work and play that went on when we lived there. But I also like to imagine what that house was like when it was new, and all the memories stored up in a two-family house that's almost a hundred years old.

What kinds of books were on these shelves? How many people have warmed themselves in front of the fireplace?

Did the radiators sing and whistle when they were new?

And look at all the chutes: coal, milk and laundry.

(The Donley Brothers Company,apparently the authority on coal burning appliances in the 1920's, wrote a book called The Donley Book of Successful Fireplaces)

                (How handy to have the milk delivered right to the ice box. There is even a drain in the pantry for the ice melting from the ice box!)

                                               (A laundry chute never goes out of style!)


I never tire of cleaning the crown molding and windows:

And I sometimes wonder how many colors has that front door been.

My kids used to love to hide very small items, such as crayons, in the key holes:

Push button light switches, some still with the mother-of-pearl:

We never did find out what the button on the far left was connected to. It's the same on the other side of the duplex: 3 buttons, but only two are connected to something. What was that third one for?

How many times has someone, other than me, lovingly washed this chandelier?

And was this once for a wood burning kitchen stove?

Built-in benches in the kitchen have seated many people over the years, and a built-in front hall mirror (beveled, no less!) has seen many faces.

The attention to detail and the level of craftsmanship in this house are just not to be found in modern homes. And the other side of the duplex is equally charming, but with some of its own unique features. Sure, the windows are drafty, and the floors are a bit slanted; there are no squared corners since the house has shifted; some of the doors don't quite close and most of the plumbing is ancient. But this old house is still strong and sturdy, faithful and true, a bit scuffed with wear, but still beautiful.
We have cherished memories of this house, as do many other people, some who are still living and some who have long since died. Some mothers and sisters and wives waited anxiously for news of their men during war time; families scraped by and made do during the Depression, hippies listened to the music that changed the world; countless memories in these walls. And this old house patiently protects all who have lived under its roof (well, it was leaking a bit, but the roof is now new!), providing sturdy walls to live and love and work within. There are more memories yet to be made, more new babies, more people falling in love, more people who will pass away. Even though I don't live here anymore, this old house is a part of me, it's in my bones, and I love it.