When I'm Sixty-Four

Old houses have always been my thing. You would think that after

almost 30 years of dealing with these monstrosities I would have learned my lesson. But nooooooo!

Take this home to the right, for example, at 283 N. Mulberry St in Wilmington. This home has a story to tell. It is about 100 years old. It most probably started out as a four room house, which was not unusual in those days. The woodwork in the front of the house is quite ornate and the front window has leaded glass at the top.

As you move back through the house, you can see that it has "add-on-itis". As the family grew, so did the house. Room after room after room, to the point where you can't tell which room should be used for what. The kitchen as been "updated" so unfortunately not much is left of its original character except the huge windows and some beadboard. The original kitchen may have started its life with a hand pump then quickly moved to a huge deep porcelain coated cast iron sink. No cabinetry, of course, but the walls would have been lined with large pieces of furniture full of dishes, food and cooking pans. The "Hoosier" cupboard was the first leap in kitchen conveniences. It featured a huge flour bin in the top portion and little inside wire shelves to organize all your baking needs.

There is also a walk-up attic. Homes that were added onto frequently would finally come to the point where the current roofs just didn't make sense anymore. At that point, a complete new roof would be added to encompass the whole house. Look closely at this house and you can tell that the large pyramid style roof almost dwarfs the house. The result is the huge attic; more space for the family to grow.

But as so often happens somewhere along the way, for reasons unknown, the home falls into disrepair and it becomes a rental property and its rich history of all the families that have lived and loved there is lost.

I guess I have just answered my own question. THAT is why I love old houses and that is why I still live in an old house.

So when it comes time for you to buy your next home, don't just automatically think "new". Think about all the wonderful qualities of older homes, from rich wood floors to soaring attics. Sure, it might take a little "sweat equity" but you will be doing something nice for your home town; keeping it beautiful. And you will also be lending your own rich family history to that of your "new" old house.