- previous
- 1
- 2
- | single page
|
William Hagerman Farmstead remained in same family for more than 140 years (Colleen McGrath / Colleen McGrath / February 19, 2013) |
Steps lead from the kitchen to the first floor, entering the northeast room of the first level, a den, rather than rising under the main staircase in the front hall. Double parlors, each with three windows, fill the west half of this floor. The north parlor is smaller with simpler woodwork. Two large, paneled, double doors separate the parlors. The wooden mantelpiece in the front parlor is Italianate, with an arched firebox and sinuous curves that imitate marble. The house has broad, molded baseboards throughout.
The dining room fills the southeast corner of the house. It has the same elegant woodwork as the front parlor with pediment shaped woodwork above the doors and windows and paneled window architraves, but no fireplace. All the rooms are furnished with lovely period antiques.
In the center hall, the main staircase rises comfortably to a landing. Here a window overlooks the back yard. The walnut balustrade has turned and faceted balusters beneath a broad handrail. Four bedrooms occupy this floor. The northwest bedroom has faux-tiger-maple graining on its doors while the south rooms have faux- mahogany graining. The back staircase continues into the northeast bedroom, which was probably a servant's room originally. Fireplaces serve the two rooms on the west.
The main stairs continue to the attic level. At the landing, the steps become about five feet wide. This space has been finished into offices with computers and electronics to serve the needs of the family.
The Bowmans have restored what was once the hub of an active working farmstead, saving its unique elements while making it work in the 21st century. But, of course, nothing is easy. New wooden porch floors and ceilings rotted and had to be replaced, this time with composite boards that look like wood when painted but don't deteriorate. Splats, too, have needed extra care as new fast-growth wood simply does not last like old growth timber.
The Bowmans treasure the unique features of their home, the quiet, the wildlife, being a part of our county history. They have been sensitive to the unusual elements of their property and have preserved them by making them assets in a modern world.
Terms to know
Lintel: a horizontal structural member that supports the load over an opening such as a door or window.
Graining: surfaces painted to imitate the grain of finish wood, often used to look like a more expensive wood.
Architrave: ornamental moldings that surround a rectangular opening.
Splat: a thin, wide piece of wood used to connect two horizontal members. Often decorated with scroll cuts.
Header brick: the smallest face of a brick.
Stretcher brick: the longer side of a brick.
The dining room fills the southeast corner of the house. It has the same elegant woodwork as the front parlor with pediment shaped woodwork above the doors and windows and paneled window architraves, but no fireplace. All the rooms are furnished with lovely period antiques.
In the center hall, the main staircase rises comfortably to a landing. Here a window overlooks the back yard. The walnut balustrade has turned and faceted balusters beneath a broad handrail. Four bedrooms occupy this floor. The northwest bedroom has faux-tiger-maple graining on its doors while the south rooms have faux- mahogany graining. The back staircase continues into the northeast bedroom, which was probably a servant's room originally. Fireplaces serve the two rooms on the west.
The main stairs continue to the attic level. At the landing, the steps become about five feet wide. This space has been finished into offices with computers and electronics to serve the needs of the family.
The Bowmans have restored what was once the hub of an active working farmstead, saving its unique elements while making it work in the 21st century. But, of course, nothing is easy. New wooden porch floors and ceilings rotted and had to be replaced, this time with composite boards that look like wood when painted but don't deteriorate. Splats, too, have needed extra care as new fast-growth wood simply does not last like old growth timber.
The Bowmans treasure the unique features of their home, the quiet, the wildlife, being a part of our county history. They have been sensitive to the unusual elements of their property and have preserved them by making them assets in a modern world.
Terms to know
Lintel: a horizontal structural member that supports the load over an opening such as a door or window.
Graining: surfaces painted to imitate the grain of finish wood, often used to look like a more expensive wood.
Architrave: ornamental moldings that surround a rectangular opening.
Splat: a thin, wide piece of wood used to connect two horizontal members. Often decorated with scroll cuts.
Header brick: the smallest face of a brick.
Stretcher brick: the longer side of a brick.
