The Case of the Vanished Bench? PART II
Yesterday.
Today! The marble goes to the bathroom.
I knocked down the 1950s plaster wall to the right side of the paneled section, and the section came down fairly easily. A piece of the bottom broke off but it will be easy to glue back on.
As expected, the section is 18-inches above the floor, which is the standard height of a seat. So, as I posted yesterday, this is what I think was here in 1894:
Today, there is no doubt that the paneled section was vertical as, after the 1950s wall (under the section, and to the right) was removed, the ghost outline of the paneled section was obvious. In addition, see the curved piece upper left? That did sweep down and likely mimicked the curved piece to the left. (No evidence of What Was is on the plaster wall to the left as it is part of the 1950 change to this area.)
A third piece of evidence was revealed, too! You are looking at the bottom step, and of what remains of the original sweeping curve paneled wall. See the vertical slot? I am gonna guess that is where the face of the bench slotted into. Evidence #4: See the very outer surface of the cut-down stair wood wall (right)? That appears to retain its original finish, meaning that this is where the stair wood wall likely ended.
My conjecture, yesterday.
And today.
While taking down the 1950 plaster wall, and pulling down the paneled section, I developed an irrational hope that bits of the “lost” bench would have been tucked away between the 1950 2x4s! I was soooooooo excited!
But…nope.
Poo.
Still, what a thrill that so many discoveries today support my conjecture about a lost bench in this location!
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Any thoughts on what was behind the bench? Empty air? A hidden niche that opened into the library? A portal to another dimension?
Narnia!
Hey, Ross.
Have you combed through your stockpile of Cross House bits and pieces lately? Maybe an oft overlooked scrap of the vanished bench survives? Fingers crossed!!
No such luck, W!
The panel sitting like that gives it a move natural look than whne it was stuck to the ceiling so I’m sure you are definitely right in thinking there was a bench there. It just seems like a perfect place to have one.
Have you looked into other homes design by Charles Squires if they had a bench under the staircase? Maybe you could get some clues from them on how he design them.
Normally I’m just a lurker here and I’m always looking forward to your updates but since I’m commenting I also want to say that you’ve been such an inspiration. Crossing my fingers that I’ll get to live and own a house as amazing as the Cross House in my near future. You deserve all the awards for the job amazing job you’re doing to make this gem shine again.
Thank you, Leo!
I fully believe that you are absolutely right on this new discovery! But, even if by some chance you aren’t? So what – it looks perfectly beautiful and really is what should be there. And thank you, you never fail to keep things interesting and we never know what’s coming next.
Exciting stuff!
I’m with Julie. Whether it was original or not, it is beautiful and is what should be there.
I do think today is what it would have been. I don’t see it just ending in a wall. you are so good at this !!
The stiles and rails as you have the panel now are oriented differently from the way they are under the other part of the stair landing. Could be nothing, just mentioning it again.
Also to add- the graining on the other panels appears to all run horizontally in the photographs.
Adam, it may look like that in the images but that isn’t the case in actuality.
You’re absolutely correct! That was definitely a bench.
Also, if your conjecture from today is correct and there were two carved bits on either arm of the bench then perhaps It’s possible that the carved bit you have might be from the other arm? If so, then maybe it was brutalized when they removed the bench seat.
Hi, Susan!
The extant carved bit is carved on two sides. So, it makes sense that it would have been to the right side of the conjectural bench as it would have been visible on both sides.
If it was a carved bit to the left, it would have likely been only carved on one side as the other side would have been against the plaster wall.
Ross, you are a genius!! I love you!
Oh my goodness! That will be gorgeous! That would be my hidey- hole where I would sneak off to read a good book! Love it!
For such an outstanding and gorgeous stairway, the bench is the perfect compliment. Great job on sleuthing!
Benches built into stairs are all over the place in upper-middle class houses from the Victorian era or right after. Even though this is more early 20th Century revival than Victorian (and has terrible flipped house floors) the bench in the 5th image reminds me a lot of yours.
https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/pa/philadelphia/4633-hazel-ave/pid_34254504/
Also, how do we feel about outsourcing this kind of a thing? My father-in-law is friends with a woodworker in Colombia.
I think you should put a piano hinge on the top, so that you can push the paneling back. . .I always wanted a secret room.
A most excellent idea, Derek!
Going to be sooooo sweet when done! Good job!
I am so amazed that you are still finding surprises! Great detective work!
I’m amazed, too, Dan!
Calling Dr. Doug????? He has done such beautiful work on other bits for the Cross House, surely he could help resurrect the bench? I’m so excited about this discovery. The stair hall is my favorite part of the Cross House except, of course, for the beautiful stained glass all over the place. As well, the progress on the south facade is looking so good! I was thinking about you today as it was 60 degrees with the wind howling in Olathe, wondering if you were up on that scaffolding replacing shingles….hopefully not!
Do you know were the piece of reeded trim that was placed between the two panels comes from? I understand that it was not originally placed there, under the staircase.
Raúl, that piece of trim is not reeded (although it looks as such in the image). It was originally in that location.
That’s a really cool feature, and will be beautiful by the time you’ve restored it.
With all the talk of secret rooms, hinging the back panel would make it tricky to get into and rather inconvenient, what with having to step over the seat itself. I’d build the bench seat as a drawer, set on wheels and tracks, so that you can grab discreetly hidden handles and pull it straight out. That would give you an easy to access yet still hidden storage space. Most people would give up after trying to lift the seat board. The entire seat being a drawer would be unexpected, for sure!
Historically and Architecturally this seems correct. My guess is that the bench probably had a hinge top for seasonally stored items. I think that you could make the whole back panel on a hinge so that way you have a hidden cubby. Just think put up a dowel rod and you have a spot to store winter coats in the summer. I’m getting some serious Chronicles of Narnia vibes from the idea. Since this is my first time commenting, I just want to say Ross you are doing a wonderful job on the house and I think Charles Squires would be proud.
Nice to meet you, Joshua!
Mystery posts (especially solved ones) are my favorite! I hope you run into more mysteries as you continue your restoration. But only solvable ones 🙂
A few commenters are suggesting that the vertical/back panel be mobile so I thought I’d chime in with some personal experience with turn of the century houses.
I used to live in a Queen Anne where the staircase had a bench that is similar to what you’ve drawn but it was the seat of the bench lifted up on hinges to reveal a large storage space rather than the vertical panel. The one I had went all the way underneath the stairs with a door at the back for another access point, though the walls that are against your staircase may prevent such a door. Maybe the vertical panel being mobile would be more useful to access the space, but the bench top is also an option.
Love the blog and your dedication to keeping the story of the house consistent. It’s truly an inspiration for me and I hope to do something similar when I eventually become a homeowner in the future! Thank you 🙂
Hi,
I just came across this picture of two benches with a big roung moulding is says that it’s 1890. I immediately though of you if it coulb d be of any inspiration.
Cheers from Montréal!!
https://www.facebook.com/boylerpf/photos/a.10150544379327719/10157750513272719/?type=3&theater
That’s called an inglenook! Isn’t it wonderful?!
Wouldn’t it be fun, before you re-build the bench, to tuck a time capsule under the stairs. A container with pictures or copies of pictures showing the history of this marvelous house.
Yes!!! What a wonderful idea!!!
As noted above, I think having the back of the bench swing open to access under the stairs would be very cool – mebbe put some shelving there for storage of seasonal items. Might also be cool to make the top of the bench lift up for additional storage as well.
Over the years, you’ve become very good at “listening” to the house and pick up the various visual clues to bring as much of the original house back to life. Inch by inch, bit by bit the house is getting stronger and happier than it’s been in so very long.
I like the bench idea. The back could open with a side hinge for a coat closet for when guests arrive or the homeowner to store their coats. The bench could open up the seat for a place to put boots.