The Historic Ebeneezer Alden House

There is a grand historic home with an equally grand history that we have turned to several times for inspiration throughout our renovation. 

We were first introduced to this wonderful place by our craftsmen, Nate and Darryn. At their suggestion, we went there to look at the center hall stair railing this past winter. During the visit, we also met the home's gracious owners whose enthusiasm for the home and its history is infectious. 

We are taken by how many details our home shares with theirs.  So much so, that we recently returned to look at the detail of the exterior dentils found under the soffit and the entry pediment. 

It's been quite fascinating to compare the intricate details that we have found so similar to our own home. One shared detail is the great width of the corner boards. The Alden home has a variation with these cornerstone mouldings called 'quoins'. We've wondered if our house also had these at one point in the past. 

Besides the commonalities, there are also amazing inspirations that we want to replicate at our own home. From small details to large, it is so nice to have a companion home to turn to. 

The homeowners Dave and Suzy are so incredibly gracious with their time by allowing us into their home, generously offering full house tours, and answering frequent emails such as, "How wide is your entry door?" 

They are so kind and such kindred spirits, as all old house people are. 

The big difference between Dave and Suzy (and their home), and Mike and I (and our home) is that they are at the end of their renovation. It's been caringly restored over the years and is breathtakingly beautiful. It is a very good thing for us that our paths crossed, as they have raised our morale when the old house projects have loomed over us. 

Here is the dentil moulding which our homes share. 

Our front entry will be a different style than theirs, although they have three formal entries, one of which is most most similar to the one we are having built. 

The dentil moulding is a unique pattern, found on only a few homes in our region, ours being one of them. It coordinates with a larger version of the same dentil that runs under the soffit. 

Miraculously, my first peek into this grand home was many months prior to meeting Dave and Suzy. I first stumbled upon it while reading this book.  

It wasn't until we were sitting on the floor in the center hall studying the stair railing that I had an overwhelming sense of familiarity, realizing that it was one of the homes I had been studying in my book! 

It is as beautiful and grand in person as it appears to be on the pages of this and other books that it has been featured in. 

This gorgeous home is actually for sale. For a complete tour of the property, go here.