Dear Future Owner, we first laid eyes on the house in 2001. It was tired, worn down by time, and in desperate need of care-but we fell in love instantly. The crooked hallways, the worn stair treads, and the built-ins whispered of generations past. This was no ordinary house; it was a piece of living history, and we knew it. Over the years, we began bringing it back to life. We started with the basics-new bathroom fixtures, updated plumbing, paint, sanding, and repairs throughout. We raised our family within these old walls, filling them with laughter, warmth, and mittens drying on the old steam radiators in winter-just like at my grandmother's house. In 2016, we moved out to begin a larger renovation. We upgraded the power to 400 amps, replaced sub flooring with new ergonomic flooring, installed kitchen cabinets and windows, added lighting, and replaced exterior doors. Sheetrock was added where needed, and all hardwood floors were sanded, stained, and sealed. We removed large trees from the property, relined the chimneys, and even adapted the dining room stove pipe for a pellet stove. We drilled a new well in 2021, replaced the pump and lines, and brought in fresh electrical work throughout the home-there's no knob-and-tube wiring left. An electric heater insert was added in the living room (removable), and new outlets were installed as well., That same year, a storm brought down a tree that damaged the master bedroom and roof. The entire roof was replaced, along with repairs to the back corner, chimney, and vents. The barn doors were also replaced in 2021, staying true to the property's heritage. The barn itself is likely original to the land-the house being the original farmhouse from which the surrounding neighborhood was carved. The fireplace, built from brick, holds a wooden mantel that may very well be original. There's a beehive oven beside it-no longer in use, but beautifully preserved. When we replaced the living room ceiling, we uncovered hand-hewn beams, one of which still held an old blade-a tool left behind over two centuries ago. We left it there, a hidden tribute to the house's builders. Local history runs deep here. The Gristmill is just down the street, and the old general store-once a boarding house for boatyard workers-is now a residence. The original owner even built the house next door for his daughter. After that, Madeline, born in this home, lived here for most of her entire life before leaving it to her nephew. One family held the house for over 100 years. Though it's not registered, the house predates the United States and has been featured in local history books. The steam heat still works beautifully, with a rebuilt firewall box and a new oil tank installed in 2012. We used oil heat in the later years and found the house stayed cool downstairs in the summer, while upstairs rooms were cooled with window units. It's quiet here. The firehouse sits just behind the property-the whistle still goes off at noon each day. And come December, Santa rides down from the firehouse, making it feel like something out of a storybook. We repaired and painted the wraparound porch, added a vinyl ceiling, and restored clapboards where needed. The front porch is peaceful, perfect for morning coffee. This house has lived many lives, and we were lucky to be part of its story. Now it's ready for someone else to continue the journey-someone who will fall in love with it the way we once did.
