Alright. So let’s talk about colonial houses.
I want one.
Not only do I want to live in a colonial type house, I want the big fat vegetable garden to go along with it.
The HH likes the flat fronted style houses {anyone know what the proper name is?} while I like the tiny {by today’s standards} colonial homes.
A root cellar on the side of the house is a must. We saw a bunch of homes with root cellars in the front of the home but I thought that was just plain nuts.
I mean seriously, if a root cellar is supposed to store enough vegetables crops, canned goods and meats to get you and your family through winter and well in to the Spring growing season, what the heck happens when vandals bust the lock open and loot the joint. You’re out of luck man, that’s what!
This is the one. This is the colonial house I would love to re-produce someday and live in. I think the only additions I’d make would be some indoor plumbing, air-conditioning, and electricity.
Can you imagine yourself living in a colonial home someday? Or am I a total nut for wanting to move out of my suburban Mc Mansion and move into a tiny house in the middle of nowhere?
C’mon, we can start our own colony. It would be fun!
~Mavis
Sandra says
I think there’s something about history, simple living and simple beauty that really tugs at my heartstrings! I think there’s particular beauty in the history that has survived, been taken care of and stands still today as a glimpse back into a time that has long been forgotten. To me those things are worth more than the most expensive house with the most elaborate trimmings!
Kathy says
I also like the second to last house. When do we start? I’ll gladly move to your neck of the woods and start that colony! Have always loved these types of homes.
Jen J says
Mavis, you were almost in my back yard! We live in Richmond, VA and have started a container garden this year after several failed gardens straight into the VA clay. We too love the homes in Colonial Williamsburg. The reason for the cellars on the front of the house is that’s also where they would get coal delivered. It’s easier than taking that heavy coal around the side or around back. I’m sure there were additional reasons for the front of the house cellar, but this is the only one I remember 🙂
Hope you had a wonderful time on your travels to our part of the country!
Madam Chow says
I think the style that the HH likes is called “Federal.” That’s the style of house I grew up in living outside of Washington, D.C. And after many years living in other places, that’s where I ended up, so you were in my neck of the woods!
Susan says
I grew up in a farmhouse style Colonial in Massachusetts. It was built in 1880. Full front porch – door right in the middle. Approximately 10 wooden steps to the front door. Always painted white.
There was a massive chandelier in what was once a formal dining room. My parents got rid of it in the late 60’s – literally throwing it out 🙁
It had a fancy staircase leading upstairs with lots of built-ins and hardwood floors throughout. Most of the windows were leaded with a stained glass octagonal window on the upstairs foyer.
The kitchen had lots of built ins, too and a washing machine- bolted to the floor (that we didn’t use- my poor mother had a wringer washer- don’t know why she never used it!) that must have been added sometime before 1950 when they bought it.
It had a back enclosed porch and the traditional “bulkhead” on the back. There were cement steps- approximately 10- leading into the full basement. The walls of the basement were large rocks.
The yard was full of apple, pear and lilacs. No garden though!
There was also a separate underground garage with a large area above. We played upstairs and my father was a mechanic and used the garage for that. It is on 1/2 acre in town – right next to the railroad tracks!
As a kid, you don’t realize how awesome it is……but I really did love it there. All the neighbors knew each other and it really was a “Norman Rockwell” type atmosphere.
Beckybeq says
Just be careful what you wish for. I didn’t realize what a pain in the rear end it could be to own a historical home until I talked to the nice guy putting in our dog fence. We live 9 miles west of Gettysburg, PA. Lots of history here. He and his wife bought a Civil War home, backing the battlefield, about 20 years ago. No problem 20 years ago. Now people on the city council and the historical society (who are, of course, not affected by any of their inane rules) spend much of their time telling these Civil War home owners what they can and cannot do to their property. This includes dictating what color the home may be, if they can have a fence and what type, and disallowing the home owner to change out his single pane, energy spewing windows for more efficient dual panes. Not allowed.
David G. Bacon says
Historic homes are a treasure and if you are fortunate enough to own one…well you need to maintain
it to the true period it was built. Heating and cooling systems have to be installed of course, but
can be done as not to detract from the original intrinsic look of the property. I understand the frustration of you feel with historical societies dictating to you, the property owner, what can and cannot
be done on your home….such as house color and so on. There should be a meeting of the minds in
some of these areas and still maintain the historical value of these special homes, while affording the homeowner some say as to the look of his or her property.
Shani says
A flat front house is referred to as Salt Box…at least where I come from (Columbus, OH).
Helen in Meridian says
That historical house could only hold all your kitchen gear and canning supplies and one small bedroom for you and the hh. No room for the kids to come home to.
Annette shaw says
My husband and I went there for our 20th anniversary. We loved it there and love seeing your pics. What a sweet reminder.
Amanda says
I don’t know about a colonial home, but I covet a victorian farm house! I can imagine a beautiful parlor with ferns and flocked wallpaper! We have so many old farm houses that have been empty for so long, it’s sad. Someday I will have one tho, with a wrap around porch.
John Athayde says
The Federal/Georgian style house is, I believe, the George Wythe house, and it’s on the circle near the Governor’s Palace, about halfway down Duke of Gloucester street.
Heather says
I can’t believe I missed you in Williamsburg! I live so close, but alas was in Myrtle Beach for the holiday weekend. I hope you had a wonderful time! Unfortunately, some of my plants did not fair quite as well as yours, but I’m hopeful they will bounce back with some extra water this week!
Pam says
If your HH is in love with the flat fronted brick house they call Federal style here and Georgian style in England as in king George style.
David G. Bacon says
I believe you can get blueprints of certain houses in the restored area of Colonial Williamsburg. I
know about 10 years back, you could get plans for the Wythe House, for example, with inside kitchen and bathrooms. Of course the cost to duplicate things like the Wythe staircase makes my wallet cringe.
Barbara says
If you are still looking for a reproduction colonial house to buy – here is one built in Windsor, North Carolina:
https://www.zillow.com/homes/303-Republican-Rd-Windsor,-NC,-27983_rb/235566141_zpid/
Lue-Yee Tsang says
You can have the root cellar in front if you live in a high-trust society, where people go to bed at night without locking their doors. As America has become more of a low-trust society, that way of life has become impossible.