no batteries required

These little contraptions are so simple and yet so precious.  They are installed at a couple of places on both floors and allowed people to talk to each other on different floors.  First you can blow into the hole to gain attention at the other end and then you move the lever and open the flap and you can talk to one other.  Simple, but effective.

I remember my first time using this and I was so excited.  Someone held me up so I could talk to someone else downstairs.  I don't remember the particulars, but at my young age it seemed a sort of special magic and only added to the wonder and mystery of 717. 

I think what saddens me the most about these little details of the house is that they most likely won't survive the inevitable remodel.  I am not sure why this makes me so sad as it is just a simple contraption with no real significant memory attached, but tears come every time I think about it.  Perhaps it just what it signifies.  That most of what we know and love of this old house will not likely remain.   These little items that were used often over the years, taken for granted, marveled at, overlooked will soon be gone, replaced by something more modern, more expensive, more showy.   I wonder what these cost when they were installed and if they were at the height of new technology for communication in houses.  Or if they were just standard in big houses. 

I wonder if we can put a clause into the sellers agreement that says we have first dibs on anything that is taken out of the house in the remodel.  Or if I can hire my cousins to dumpster dive for me.  After all, one man's trash is another man's treasure.

Stairway

pent up excitement

warm greeting

rushing pell mell into the old house

instantly

envelped by the eloquent perfume

wood, comfort, history, warmth, happiness

dashing up the solid bright wood

not noticing the beauty

 the unique rail of turned posts

the lovely grain and warm patina

stomping with the creak of comfort

until we reached the top

and were enveloped into

the heart of our family home

seven one seven.

Jessi 3.1

I think one of my earliest memories of 717 was Christmas time as a young kid, I'm not sure how old I was, but there wasn't much snow until Christmas Eve night when it dumped several feet. I remember sleeping in the back room on the first floor and creeping up the stairs early on Christmas morning. I'm sure Jessi and Laurel could recall this better, but I think we all went up the stairs and opened the door to Grandma and Grandpa's living room... and the room seemed to be flooded and overflowing with presents while a chorus of angels sang "Hallelujah"! Then we noticed all the snow outside and later that afternoon we made forts and tunnels in the front yard. That Christmas set the standard for all others to be compared with from then on...

How historically accurate and true is this memory? It's probably not an exact account of events, but I'm ok with that.

Wes 3.3


This is one of my favorite Christmas and 717 memories too! I think I might be mixing up two Christmas, but I am pretty sure this is the one with the tree from the alley. We slept downstairs and I was in the little middle room and could not sleep. The night took forever and Mom and Dad made us wait until 6am to go upstairs. The mountain of presents was amazing! Even the stockings seemed extra full. Except for Jonathan's, which was the biggest stocking I had ever seen. Turns out it he came home from the hospital in it. And there was about a foot of snow on the ground! But, as always we had to wait until after breakfast to open them. Dad kept saying we had to listen to Handels Messiah before we could open them and then kept asking all the parents if they wanted more coffee as a way to tease us. I think that was the year bb gun. I was so excited. In the afternoon I went cross country skiing on the sidewalks with Grandpa. it was magical.

One of my favorite Christmas ever!

Jessi 3.1

717

This is the house that my great-grandfather built in 1917. Five generations of my family have lived here. Although I have always wished I could call this place home, I have only ever been a visitor. But it still holds such special memories for me. It was a lovely, warm, almost magical place. Full of grandparents, cousins, and family history in every corner. It has not changed much since it was built, even much of the furniture inside has remained the same. Sadly, the time has come for our family to say goodbye. It feels almost impossible to say goodbye to such a piece of family history. Sometimes it feels as if the house itself is a member of our family. So just as we honor our grandparents with memories and stories of how we loved them and they loved us, so we will do with this house.