Another Door Discovery!
Over the last 126-years, the doors of the Cross House have been playing musical chairs. Many doors have bounced from location to location and it has been an interesting challenge trying to ascertain where each door originally was.
Some doors even went AWOL. Some have since returned to the house.
If I am correct, at this point the only missing first-floor door is the original library door.
I thought…
…it had been relocated to this non-original door frame shown here, in the south hall. The door is open (far right).
This door was in situ when Bob Rodak purchased the house in 1999. So, what happened to it?
Last week, Bob came by for a tour with his new wife, Sandy, and daughter, Sarah. Bob has been in the house several times since I purchased the house in 2014, but this was the first time in six years that Sandy and Sarah have been in the house.
As we stood in the south hall, I asked Bob about the missing door. He thought for a moment, then another moment, smiled, and said, “Follow me!”
I looked curiously at Sandy. She shrugged. We all followed Bob into the dining room. He pointed at…
…the door to the butler’s pantry. “This was in the south hall, but the swinging hardware revealed that it originally belonged in this location.”
Ahhhhh. I had not known that the butler’s pantry door had ever been removed!
So, yet another mystery revealed.
Meaning though that the original library door is still AWOL. I think, think it might have been relocated to the new bathroom installed in the library in 1950. That door was in situ when Bob purchased the house. He then removed the bathroom and door. So, does Bob still have the door?
He indicated…maybe.
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I love these mysteries! And, I love that bits keep showing up. So nice that Bob could come by again.
As so has been the case with many other factors revolving around the house, you’re very lucky to be on such amicable terms with a former owner such that he has been willing to work with you and return missing bits and bobs that he has retained all these years. I can imagine that it must be difficult to part with those last few pieces of the house, as in love with it as he and his family were. Most other people might not feel so compelled to cooperate. Many people in Bob’s position would feel quite jaded, and rightly so. You’ve really got an army of people looking after you.
You must be quite the charmer in person, Ross. The stars really have aligned for you and the Cross House for this to keep happening over and over.
Hi, Cody!
Bob still loves the house, and feels protective of it.
He’s actually upset that he keeps finding bits of it at his current house.
After I told him I wanted the house in December, 2013, he had a dream where I finished the house. After waking, he realized that no other potential buyer would likely finish the house, which he wanted to see more than anything. So, to assure a sale to me, he dropped the price in half! Well, how could I refuse?
Ross is very charming!!!
Cody, Ross is so charming in person! As I was overcome with emotion at my dream of touring the Cross House coming true, he gave me a gentle hug and was so very kind. I’m just amazed that not only is he gifted at construction and restoration, but he’s such a compelling writer and photographer. And he not only blogs, but posts faithfully! Truly blessed to have Ross in our world. 🥰🛠🗜📸📝
Beverly! You make my bald head blush!
I think that I would be strongly tempted to wait until Bob and family are out of town for a few days, and then break into their house so I could hunt for items that came from the Cross House…
Ha!
The problem is that Bob owns numerous properties. He found the main screen doors in one building only because he was emptying it for demolition.
Hahaha! THAT’S your problem with Mike’s plan?!
It beats holding Bob’s family hostage until all the missing parts are accounted for…
Cody is so right. You really have an army helping you. Such great mysteries with this house.
Does he have the missing bins to the pantry?
Rats–I was hoping the south hall door was the library door, but at least Bob was able to clear that up! Can’t wait for your next fascinating discovery.
I am so enjoying being caught up on Cross House. Found your blog last week and have binge read for days!
Very nice to meet you, Marie!
Hello Ross,
I am a daily reader of your blog – so thrilled when a new post appears, although, if not, I simply reread the previous to get more details.
A question for you: I have learned SO much about how to deal with my own old house from your wonderfully detailed techniques (e.g. when you outline the wonders of denatured alcohol to remove darkened shellac to name just one). I am wondering if your blog could have a search function so that when i want to find those details, i simply search. Otherwise i try to remember the headline and hunt and poke for the wonderful insights you have provided. Or is there another way i haven’t discovered.
Like everyone, i appreciate your writing and patience to get it just right!
thank you
Thank you for the kind words, Anne!
In the upper right of each page is a little magnifying glass. Click on that and a SEARCH box opens up.
So, you can type SHELLAC, for example, and all such posts should pop up.
I use it all the time!
hmmmm. i cannot see a magnifying glass… i’m a bit techy so had looked for that before :(. i’d show you a snip but cannot attach in these comments. thanks for responding. i’d love to be able to search!
cheers.
I have not been able to locate a magnifying glass either; I’ve looked on the main page, on posts, etc. Could it be an option that is only available to you as the author, Ross? If one could be added, that would be beyond great…I have spent so much time like Anne, searching for something I remember reading…
Hi all!
Ross is the most AMAZING, gregariouis, ebbulient, generous, kind, loving, delightful person on the planet!!!
He is even more amazing in person!
I had the distinct pleasure of meeting him in person and touring the Cross House several times in 2017! I also had the pleasure of assisting with Thanksgiving or Friends-giving in 2017!!!
Yes, all who follow and respond to the blog should have this opportunity!
It is well worth it and so fun!!
We ALL LOVE you Ross!!!
I also return to posts from further back for reminders on techniques and tips! There must be hundreds of us. Normally I search restoring Ross + search term on google 🙂