Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Learning

This morning, Lucinda and I had a visit from Joyce - a lady who grew up in this little pocket of green we call home and remembers very well our house as it looked back in its earlier days.

It was fantastic to hear her recollections of the area, the families who used to live here and what our home looked like once upon a time.

One of the biggest mysteries she was able to solve for us is that of the breezeway, this open corridor between the two halves of our house.

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When we pulled up the lino from the dining room, we were surprised to see the pine floorboards didn't run the room's entire length. Rather, the decking boards mysteriously encroached into the room. 

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There were other hints something a little strange was going on. This super-thin VJ board, which is mirrored on the other side of the room.

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Joyce confirmed that the breezeway was a lot wider when she was a child. The original occupants had  a day bed on it where the man of the house would snooze in the afternoons. It would have served as a sort of shady, central room and was also a safety buffer to keep wood-burning stoves away from the bedrooms. 

We think now that the dining room may have been extended into the breezeway when the house was closed in, or possibly earlier.

Joyce was also able to give us some insight into how the stairs and verandah used to look, before it was all closed in.

Thanks for your help Joyce, can't wait to have you back out again when we're further along! 

6 comments:

  1. how fascinating to be able to learn some of the history of your house and the area!

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  2. what an amazing morning. Also you should check the Queensland Library archives for photos of the area and it might also have the house. Go on line or ring them as I'm sure a lot of things are on line but you might be able to get some early photos. I was investigating this many many years ago so I can only imagine that things are a lot easier to come by. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

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  3. Also maybe get an article in the local rag or toowoomba rag with a view to if anyone has any photos of the place, stories etc. to contact you. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

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  4. How lovely for you to learn a bit more about your home. We too have a "wider" board where an opening was closed in, good thing these old wooden houses are so adaptable.

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  5. It's so good to find out those little mysteries!

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  6. Fabulous post...all anyone needs if remodeling a kitchen...my "dream" kitchen is a traditional Mexican style...living on the border has influenced me quite a bit.
    Modular Kitchen Collection

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