Jacob Beaty House (1874 Folk Victorian)
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 6:15 am
Hello All.
Many familiar names around here, great to see! But for the newbies, here goes:
My name is Eric and I am an old house owner. Yes, that sounds like the opening to a twelve step program, but as far as I can tell there are no programs designed to help people like us!
Back in 2009 my then wife and I purchased this little house in Hackettstown, NJ. It was built in 1874 and originally inhabited by a stone mason named Jacob Beaty, along with his wife and children. By definition the house is an "I" house, named as such because of the ubiquity of this style in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana (all states that start with "I") but can be found throughout the country. The main characteristics are that the gables are to the sides, so the shed roof is the frontal facade. It is at least two rooms long, one room deep, and two full stories tall. Often these houses are highly symmetrical with paired chimneys at the gable ends, a central staircase, and equal fenestration upstairs and down.
Being built in the Victorian era my house was finished in a simple "Folk" vernacular. Unlike certain local houses executed in the more ornate Queen Anne or Italianate styles, the Folk vernacular was the working man's house. Not to be totally outdone by richer neighbors, however, people with smaller Victorians could opt to display some hint of money with architectural embellishments and flourishes.The large overhanging eaves, eave returns, and ceiling heights are indicators that Jacob Beaty wanted to show the world he'd arrived. At one point there was also a full length front porch which would likely have been the most ornate component of the house.
When we took ownership, the house was much unloved but mercifully untouched as well. Aside from having lost the front porch at some point in the early-mid 20th century and the original slate roofing, much of the rest was intact. The house still wears the original German lap siding and wood trim, and all the original wooden windows are in place.
Walking into this house was sort of like triage at the Emergency Room...everything needed work, but some problems were worse than others. My fastidious nature means I try to tackle just one room at a time and do it from start to finish before moving on to the next project. The result is an interesting mix of shabby rooms in some areas and beautiful little gems in other corners of the house.
Some true hardcore puritanical types will cringe at my methods...I believe in fully gutting each room including the plaster walls, but they are all in terrible shape and it is much easier to run new electrical and insulate this way. I am also not strictly restoring the house to 100% originality. I have a vision for each space and occasionally alter things to make the house a tad more fancy, have more interesting details, and be more livable in the 21st century. My payoff is that I know how little love smaller old houses get as they are often seen around here as "starter homes" not worthy of the work or money. I know that I am the only person who would ever invest as much time, money, and hard work into this house. I think you'll agree.
Each year I try to do one room and at least one other side project. Thus far, I've done the following:
2009-2010 Bathroom, plus a host of re-wiring, insulating the attic, and a new boiler/hot water tank
Before:
After:
2010-2011 Study (Bedroom #3)
2011 Chimney Removal and Sill Replacement
2011-2012 Bedroom #1
2012 Repointing Foundation/Reframing, Restoring Basement Windows
2013 Gutting Hallway / Staircase
2014 - Divorce
2015 - Minor Landscaping / Back to the Hallway and Stairs
September 1st I must put the final details (finishing newels, installing railings) on hold to begin gutting my living room. I have to get my 4 windows in that room restored before the cold weather arrives. So more will come shortly! Hope you enjoy!
-Eric
Many familiar names around here, great to see! But for the newbies, here goes:
My name is Eric and I am an old house owner. Yes, that sounds like the opening to a twelve step program, but as far as I can tell there are no programs designed to help people like us!
Back in 2009 my then wife and I purchased this little house in Hackettstown, NJ. It was built in 1874 and originally inhabited by a stone mason named Jacob Beaty, along with his wife and children. By definition the house is an "I" house, named as such because of the ubiquity of this style in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana (all states that start with "I") but can be found throughout the country. The main characteristics are that the gables are to the sides, so the shed roof is the frontal facade. It is at least two rooms long, one room deep, and two full stories tall. Often these houses are highly symmetrical with paired chimneys at the gable ends, a central staircase, and equal fenestration upstairs and down.
Being built in the Victorian era my house was finished in a simple "Folk" vernacular. Unlike certain local houses executed in the more ornate Queen Anne or Italianate styles, the Folk vernacular was the working man's house. Not to be totally outdone by richer neighbors, however, people with smaller Victorians could opt to display some hint of money with architectural embellishments and flourishes.The large overhanging eaves, eave returns, and ceiling heights are indicators that Jacob Beaty wanted to show the world he'd arrived. At one point there was also a full length front porch which would likely have been the most ornate component of the house.
When we took ownership, the house was much unloved but mercifully untouched as well. Aside from having lost the front porch at some point in the early-mid 20th century and the original slate roofing, much of the rest was intact. The house still wears the original German lap siding and wood trim, and all the original wooden windows are in place.
Walking into this house was sort of like triage at the Emergency Room...everything needed work, but some problems were worse than others. My fastidious nature means I try to tackle just one room at a time and do it from start to finish before moving on to the next project. The result is an interesting mix of shabby rooms in some areas and beautiful little gems in other corners of the house.
Some true hardcore puritanical types will cringe at my methods...I believe in fully gutting each room including the plaster walls, but they are all in terrible shape and it is much easier to run new electrical and insulate this way. I am also not strictly restoring the house to 100% originality. I have a vision for each space and occasionally alter things to make the house a tad more fancy, have more interesting details, and be more livable in the 21st century. My payoff is that I know how little love smaller old houses get as they are often seen around here as "starter homes" not worthy of the work or money. I know that I am the only person who would ever invest as much time, money, and hard work into this house. I think you'll agree.
Each year I try to do one room and at least one other side project. Thus far, I've done the following:
2009-2010 Bathroom, plus a host of re-wiring, insulating the attic, and a new boiler/hot water tank
Before:
After:
2010-2011 Study (Bedroom #3)
2011 Chimney Removal and Sill Replacement
2011-2012 Bedroom #1
2012 Repointing Foundation/Reframing, Restoring Basement Windows
2013 Gutting Hallway / Staircase
2014 - Divorce
2015 - Minor Landscaping / Back to the Hallway and Stairs
September 1st I must put the final details (finishing newels, installing railings) on hold to begin gutting my living room. I have to get my 4 windows in that room restored before the cold weather arrives. So more will come shortly! Hope you enjoy!
-Eric