When Jack purchased the property, there was an old house on the property. According to local historians the land, on which this house is situated, was cleared in 1710. It is not known who actually built the house, but the house beginnings can be traced to either 1730 or 1740. David Leavitt, a neighbor, has done excellent research on the house and we hope to receive permission to publish his research. 

 In 1971, the house was a mess. no electricity and no windows! Littered throughout the house were empty beer bottles, trash and who knows what else. Jack saw beauty in this old house.  So we sunk our money into an airport and into the old house. It wasn't easy. We are not wealthy people, but are people who are willing to work.

Step by step the old house came back to life. Little things were big things to us. Getting a heating system to work was huge. Taking out old copper electrical wiring was another milestone. Floors were replaced so they could be walked on.  Old insulation was taken down and it was a mess. Masks, gloves, coveralls, and a lot of sweat from the heat accompanied many of these adventures. But it was all worth it.

We continue to work on the house. We work, then play. A fun day is mowing the lawns, weed whacking, cleaning the basement, dusting (we swear, dust bunnies always like to have families and grandchildren). A trip to the local dump is an adventure.  We have done everything possible to ensure this old house will continue to be lived in for another century.

Our latest adventure is planting pine trees. This brings life to our house. A balsam pine grows one foot per year and matures in about 15 years. We are excited with these plantings.