The Harlan Robinson House - Circa 1870

The 1870’s Italianate style farmhouse, is situated atop a gently rolling hill which overlooks all the horse pastures, to the front, back, both sides and boasts the most stunning view of the elongated pastures that flank each side of the half mile long, now paved, driveway. The two story home sits on a solid stone basement and foundation that pumps water out and away, in massive flooding storms. Although adorned with early tube and knob electrical, much has since been updated to keep the home up to date and within code. However, some of it can still be found around the basement level areas. There are other capped off remnants of this fascinating electrical, sprinkled through out the home.

Upon entering the home, one is greeted with the grand foyer. This is really the focal point of the home! The grand, spiral staircase with original, intricate, late 1800’s inlays, grab ones attention from the moment you step inside. The early 1800’s Victorian hall tree adds to the foyers grandness and character.

To both the left and the right of the foyer, are an office/library, which is adorned with an original and very detailed, wood and marble fireplace. The master, which we believe to be another main parlor, also boasts an original fireplace with a wood mantle. Both rooms contain large, front facing bay windows with views of the pastures that lie in the front of the home.

Making your way further back to the French styled doors of the library, one is met with the formal dining room. With a French style candelabra chandelier, old wallpaper that remained period accurate, and another original fireplace with a wood mantle, this room also makes a historic statement. Currently, this room is home to our antique Victorian portraits, with hand carved wood frames. There are also original wood, double doors in the main dining room, that lead out to the stone back patio which overlooks the large pond. All hardware is original.

At this point, as you travel further in to the back of the home, it becomes additions. We are still looking in to when some of these additions occurred; we believe they were not all at the same time. Based on the old and original door frame leading in to the now kitchen, it appears that this door may have lead to the outside where a detached kitchen use to be. Many kitchens during this time and earlier, use to be separate from the home dwelling in an attempt to prevent fires. If there was a fire in the kitchen, it was contained and the home could be salvaged. Most all of the anterior portion of the home was an addition. We suspect the added Living room was done in the early 1980’s because the fireplace in this room is stamped on the brick of the interior chimney with a company name that flourished locally, in the 80’s. Back to the kitchen, there is also an older fireplace in it. It is not in use, has been capped off, so it is old, but we have not been able to accurately date just yet; but we do believe it is original to the detached style kitchen from the late 1800’s. From the kitchen, you can circle back to the grand foyer via the newer living room or continue to head back in to the butlers pantry.

Just beyond the butlers pantry it opens to a newer hallway that joins the brick side entry to the back porch, some mud room lockers another bedroom and bath (we believe was added sometime in the 1980’s based on the still working wall heaters). There is a fascinating odd addition that is sunk in the other side of the more modern hall. It is tiled with a drain and standing bath area for animals. We believe it was a way to keep the home clean but allow larger farm dogs to have a “room in the home.” Farm dogs get quite dirty on the farm and after playing in the lakes!

There are two sets of stairs within the home, the grand entry, front spiral stairs and the much smaller, rear stairs that lead to the upstairs utility room, two bathrooms and three bedrooms. The wood at the main landing is in fact original wood to the home! It is through out both the three large bedrooms upstairs and the landing that connects the two. The back hall completes the upstairs circle of the rooms and bathrooms and we redid all the carpet to a neutral, light grey, Victorian pattern. We have also had handmade, room sized, rugs put in every room to help further preserve the homes original wood flooring.

Returning to the main level and heading out the brick side entry, you are met with a wrap around, back porch. This is not original but it does boast an older tin roof, and thus we do believe that this porch (or portions of it) dated back to approximately the 1930’s and was then expanded upon.

The back yard is lined with original stone walls which were crafted by Irish men whom excelled in their ability to create these stunning works through out the local landscape, over a century ago! There has also been a 12x12 stone fire pit installed.

There are two original doors in the home which lead outside, the grand front entry door with its glass screen door and a large antique knocker. the second set are double French wood and glass doors, that lead to the stone back patio area. Both contain original hardware. All other doors and windows are new construction. Many of the interior doors are also original solid wood and have their original and ornate hardware as well.

All the window dressings will be brought back to period specific qualities. This has been a massive undertaking as these extremely large, heavy and ornate dressings carry a hefty price tag! We have now redone 5 of the larger and more prominent windows and we will continue to widdle away at them. The out of state artist that constructs these, is such a blessing and has done an absolutely incredible job! She has worked tirelessly with us to get our visions just right.

With a historic home, the repairs, maintenance and updates to make sure that it remains true to its period and structurally sound, create a never ending list of projects and chores. But we have fallen in love with the history of this home and land, each wall tells a story. We are so lucky and proud to be its new owners and we fully intend to hold it in high esteem within its community.

Below you will find a few pictures of the interior of the home. We will continue to update it! The home is registered locally as a Heritage Farm. This would be due to the time period it was owned the longest, by the Robinson Family. A plaque rests in the newer back hall and another on the historic stone walls when driving up to the property. It is located next to the farms new name in silver on the wall.