Walk Back Into Time

Today I had the honour and  pleasure of being taken through a Wiarton Home which has raised much interest since the beginning of its restoration last Summer.  There was also an article written by Builder/Restorer, Dave McCown, also of Wiarton, which you can read by going HERE.

Paul Deacon, who is the President of the Wiarton District Chamber of Commerce, who I am also a Director, was kind enough to contact owners Jorn and Elsie Christensen on my behalf to ask if they would take time out of their busy schedules to allow me an inside tour of their majestic Victorian Home which is now being restored.

I contacted the Christensens this morning, and much to my surprise they were able to meet up with me at 1 pm today.  What a pleasure to meet both these very kind and knowledgeable persons it was.  The time I spent over a coffee with them both in a bit of chit chat was most comfortable and knowledgeable far beyond the home they had purchased some 40 years ago within the Town of Wiarton, better known as 330 Berford Street.

I am a daydreamer myself, and once stepping into the doors of this magnificent home, my mind went immediately to imagine what and who its walls once held.  The History, the livelihoods and even the dreams of those who resided there in Years long past right from its beginning .... so much to ponder and to imagine.

One of the questions I had asked was if they had known how long it had taken to build the house.  I was told 2 years.  That in itself is amazing, is it not? the time, workmanship and money back in the 1800's ... the materials being brought in by the waterways, and then possibly wagons and oxen?  My imagination has no  boundaries.

Here are bits and pieces of its glory and wonder, that I was to see this day ....

This is the beauty that has so many who live in, have visited or passed through Wiarton, interested.  Truly can you blame them for their interest now you see what I speak of ?  she is magnificent and beautiful regardless of how tired she has gotten over the past Years.  New breath has been given to her and again one day she will live in a stateliness she well deserves.

In we went through the front door, then as I looked back ....

We went directly up to the 3rd floor, where the roof was first repaired last Year.  The view is breathtaking, need I say more?  The 3rd floor will be the first of the home to be restored which has already begun.

Back down the stairs we went to the 2nd floor.  I was impressed at how wide the steps were, as most older homes I had thought to be quite narrow.

The original woodwork I captured back on the 1st floor was as breathtaking as the view from the 3rd floor.  One can only imagine the workmanship and talent the person(s) possessed who created such beauty to last so many years now gone by.  The Kitchen at the back of the house will be renovated and stay as the kitchen, a washroom behind it will be turned back into a Kitchen Pantry.  I would LOVE a huge kitchen pantry.

The main floor also had two fireplaces.  One at the front of the home, which might have been a parlour at one time, and the 2nd in the middle of the home which might have been a common room.  The 2nd had to been put in many years later after the home was built, as it was plain, made of brickwork and quite unattractive short of saying ugly, in comparison to the one in the front room.

Back outside I looked up towards the Oriel Window, something new I learned today, the word "oriel".  The chimney top will be replaced as well with a much more ornate one eventually.

All the brick work was in amazing good repair considering the age of the home.

The front porch is also being worked on at present, and should be finished within the next Month I believe if I recall correctly.  I will be back to take another photo when I see that has been done.

Respecting the owner's time and privacy I hope I did not linger on too long.  I could have stayed put the whole day long entranced in my own daydreams of what I thought it could have been in days long gone, and what it will be again in days to still come.

Many many thanks to owner's Jorn and Elsie for allowing me to share their dreams and also allowing me to walk back into time.  I am very grateful for the experience.

This was the highlight of my day, and I am sure the highlight for many days ahead.  Nothing else I have done this day could outshine this experience.

I am certain I will be daydreaming about 330 Berford Street many times in my mind, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.