When previewing homes around Morris and Somerset counties, I am always intrigued by the history behind older homes. What architect designed them and who built them? Were the materials imported or was the stone dug from a nearby quarry? What did life hold for the families that lived within the walls of this house? In grand old homes, were there staff quarters as expected back then and massive kitchens? Were there fancy parties with prominent guests?
Every family usually makes changes to a house, small or large, they alone give us a glimpse into the way people lived at that point in history. Screened porches or sleeping rooms that were once fashionable, before HVAC, have morphed into enclosed rooms, conservatories or removed altogether to make room for a new addition. Cellars, once thought to be cold storage spaces for wintering food, have now become a myriad of things–children’s play rooms, bar/entertainment rooms, spas, bowling alleys, or personal home theatres.
The size of a home has always been a sign of wealth and the new massive home construction of recent years has certainly been following that trend. There are advantages to a new home and a lot of the exquisite details from yesteryear can be reproduced at a hefty cost. However, there is nothing quite like the history and unique qualities of an older home! For more information on the history of homes in your area, contact your local historical society.
You might be amazed to find out something about your house!
- Chatham historical society
- Madison Historical Society-Kate Malcolm 973-377-0722
- Harding Historical Society-Ms. Linda Meister, President, 973-292-3661
- Morris County Historical Society
- The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills
- Chester Historical Society
If you are interested in previewing any of the historical homes currently represented by Turpin, you can contact me via our website at www.turpinrealestate.com.
Posted by:
Nadine Gelinas-Coffey
