September 28, 2009 – Her Mother’s House

When Carol’s mom, Mary, learned we were going to tour the northeast, she immediately told us we would need to go to Enfield, N.H. and see the house where she lived before moving to Colorado. So Carol asked what the address was. Mary didn’t know the address, but she did have pictures from ten or fifteen years ago. Armed with the pictures, Carol went to Google Earth and actually found the house. Now, could we find it for real?

While it is only about 80 miles from Middleton to Enfield, it takes about two hours to drive the distance. Carol had found out that the house had been on Main Street. We found our way to Main and turned the direction we thought might lead us to the house. At the edge of town, we crossed a bridge. On our left was a rail road bridge. Carol knew from the pictures the railroad bridge needed to be on our right and we would be facing the house, if it was still in existence. I continued up the road until I could hang a U-turn and go back. As we approached the bridge from the opposite direction, it was obvious we had found the house. It looked just like the pictures. There was an area to park adjacent to the house, so I swung in.

Carol was absolutely elated. I barely had the truck stopped before she sprung out on to the sidewalk, camera and pictures in hand. She was all teary-eyed with a combination of joy, sentimentality and excitement. Here we were at the very house where her mom was born and raised for the first four years of her life. It is a connection I don’t believe Carol ever expected to make. She immediately set about taking pictures. She took the same pictures that her mother had taken. She took pictures of the pictures with the house in the background. I was so excited and happy for her. And then, like every good fighter pilot, she announced, “I’m going in!”

From Mary’s pictures, it appeared the house was in some sort of renovation or set to be demolished. When we found it, the second option was ruled out. The house was definitely being refurbished. Where the pictures showed five windows in the upstairs front, there were now four. The door which had been off-centered was now relocated to middle with the windows balanced on each side. The two chimneys were gone, but the roof repair gave evidence that they had existed. Through the windows, we could see the first floor was gutted. The wall studs were exposed as were the floor joists for the second floor. In the back, on one side was a window which was opened. This became Carol’s point of entry. She rolled a large lump of concrete to the edge of the house. It gave her enough of a step up to see inside. She was able to reach a length of six by six just inside the window. Placing the six-by vertically on the ground next to the concrete, gave her the second step she needed to climb through the window. Flash, a picture of the front door. Flash, a picture of the ladder, descending to the basement. Flash, a picture of the walls. “I’m going upstairs”, she called out and disappeared. Moments later, satisfied with her exploration, she returned. As she exited the same window she had entered, the length of six-by was carefully replaced to its rightful location. It was time to call mom.

Carol had actually called her mom when we first arrived, but Mary didn’t answer. With the second call, the connection was made. It was exciting to watch and listen as Carol described the house and its condition. She walked all around the structure tell her mom about the porch, the windows, the doors which had been moved. Mary wanted to know about the house across the street. Maybe hearing Carol describe that house would help assure mom we had the right house.
Carol described the house, the bridge, the railroad bridge, the river flowing under both bridges and what Main Street looks like today. As the conversation wound down, “love yous” and “good-bys” were exchange. It was time to leave.

Initially, we believed the house was being renovated by a local historical group as there is a posting by the house with its history: original owners, year built and subsequent information. We learned however, the house is being rebuilt by a couple who sell alternative energy products.
Their goal is to complete the house as a “zero energy building” and have it serve as both home and workplace. More info is available at www.energyemp.com.