I have done a number of posts about Putting the Bits Back.

By bits , I mean parts of the Cross House lost over time. All old house lose bits over time. And one of my favorite things is reversing such sins to historical integrity.

Since 2014, I have reinstated:

• lost porch columns and lost column capitals.
• porch railings.
• lost porch lattice.
• diamond sashes to the west dormer window.
• multi-paned sashes to the north gable.
• the lost octagon tower finial.
• the original cabinet configuration, south wall, in the butler’s pantry.
• broken wheels to all the pocket doors.
• the lost door to the Sewing Room bath.
• the original expansive size of the main stair, which had been reduced in size by half in 1929.
• lost picture rail for parlor and stairhall niche. In time, all such trim will be reinstated.
• the five metal medallions under the north exterior “diamond brooch”.
• the east window in the dining room, which had been converted to a door. Its stained-glass transom was thus covered over for five decades.
• the second-floor sun porch, which had been enclosed. Its original flooring height was also recreated.
• the only stained-glass window to have gone missing!
• The laundry chute, main floor.

In addition; I have:

• relentlessly tracked down the lost west screen doors. These have been restored and will be reinstalled.
• returned the swinging door between the kitchen/butler’s pantry to its original location.
• brought back to the house the original main pantry door.
• returned the south entry door to its original location
• returned the south vestibule door to its original location
• the lost and highly damaged door to the Octagon Bedroom bathroom was brought back to the house and extensively restored.
• tracked down missing hardware for interior doors and window sashes. There are still pulls missing for the latter.
• discovered the locations of all the missing gas/electric sconces. Slowly, such sconces are being installed in these locations.
• the four original mouthpieces for the speaking tubes were long gone. I now have four awaiting installation.
• brought the radiator system back to full use. The system had been damaged over time with burst pipes, and broken radiators.
• ascertained the original color of the kitchen, and the original finish of its wood trim. All this will be recreated.
• installed downspouts!
• Purchased an 1894 annunciator for the kitchen, as the original was long lost.

Today, after years of baby-step effort, I was able to re-install the lost trim to the infamous South Hall bump-outs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I get a ridiculous amount of pleasure in bringing bits back. I do not know why. Yes, there is something powerful in righting a wrong. And, yes, there is a lot wrong with the world and I can impact almost none of this. So, I make the effort to do what I can with my own property. This I can control. This I can make better.

And so, today, in small town in Kansas, something good and eccentric has been resurrected. Something is just a bit better with the world.

And my smile…is wide.