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Exceptional Colonial New Hampshire Farmhouse: Part II

Writer's picture: Maggie Meahl Maggie Meahl

The preserved colonial amenities of this Surry, NH Georgian farmhouse (see Part I) are impressive. The mellowed pumpkin pine floors and the papered bedroom walls have many stories to tell, from the dramatic Revolutionary War-era to the sporty 1970s when New Englanders, like this family, were downhill and cross-country skiing every winter weekend.


In its day, this mini farm estate would have been one of the most productive in the area.


Late nineteenth-century photo of the homestead. Note the mowed land and 2/2 windows, and rocking chair in the front dooryard. Nice place to knit after all the morning chores and noonday dinner were done. This type of photo is very typical of the late nineteenth century with the owners posing in front and random chairs brought outside.
Late nineteenth-century photo of the homestead. Note the mowed land and 2/2 windows, and rocking chair in the front dooryard. Nice place to knit after all the morning chores and noonday dinner were done. This type of photo is very typical of the late nineteenth century with the owners posing in front and random chairs brought outside.

It has been almost a week since I played "colonial house" in sleepy Surry, NH with my husband and friends. Last week I did a post that concerns the important Rufus Porter (1795-1884) murals in the parlor. This week is devoted to the in situ condition of many parts of the Georgian-style farmhouse and barn. Please enjoy the picture romp through time.


Early nineteenth-century Rufus Porter (1795-1884) wall mural.
Early nineteenth-century Rufus Porter (1795-1884) wall mural.


Colorful braided rugs on well-worn gorgeous floors. Stairs and handrails are smooth with age.
Colorful braided rugs on well-worn gorgeous floors. Stairs and handrails are smooth with age.

Backstairs at the Surry house with a storage alcove to the left. Stairs lead to the kitchen. Just imagine what was stored in there.
Backstairs at the Surry house with a storage alcove to the left. Stairs lead to the kitchen. Just imagine what was stored in there.

Nineteenth-century clothes' hooks located in the upstairs back hall.
Nineteenth-century clothes' hooks located in the upstairs back hall.

The intact nineteenth-century double-seater indoor privvy was a sight to behold! It was added between 1860 and 1880s when this addition was put on, based on the window style (see Part I post). Bringing the family's "necessary" business indoors would have been quite a luxury of the time.

In situ double-seater privvy room. The Old Farmer's Almanac is from the 1970s but you get the idea!
In situ double-seater privvy room. The Old Farmer's Almanac is from the 1970s but you get the idea!
The view from here--early 20th-century toilet seat on a 19th century double-seater.
The view from here--early 20th-century toilet seat on a 19th century double-seater.
There is a plaque in the upstairs bathroom which helps us roughly date when the indoor double-seater (pictured above) was still in use.
There is a plaque in the upstairs bathroom which helps us roughly date when the indoor double-seater (pictured above) was still in use.
Seen in the old barn. Probably 1980s.
Seen in the old barn. Probably 1980s.

Barn feed bins?
Barn feed bins?
Not your average cast-iron boot scraper (with brush) in situ. Is this a movie set or something?
Not your average cast-iron boot scraper (with brush) in situ. Is this a movie set or something?


Adorable wallpapered bedroom.
Adorable wallpapered bedroom.
Unheated back hall is devoted to vintage ski and snow gear. Infamous privvy is dead ahead.
Unheated back hall is devoted to vintage ski and snow gear. Infamous privvy is dead ahead.
Classic 1970s ski house decor. This poster needs no explanation. Worth $450 on eBay.
Classic 1970s ski house decor. This poster needs no explanation. Worth $450 on eBay.
Swix cross-country ski wax for every temperature hanging out on an old enameled box from the 1930s perhaps.
Swix cross-country ski wax for every temperature hanging out on an old enameled box from the 1930s perhaps.

A chimneyside meat smoker with hooks!
A chimneyside meat smoker with hooks!

Eventually this house will be put in the hands of new stewards. I hope they will appreciate it and love it as much as all the other families that have lived in it.

תגובות


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