Friday, October 10, 2008

75 Years Ago at Foxcroft

Helen's Diary

Oct 11, 1933
Wed.


Up late M and I put down wood. She put on N + W storm windows. I excavated pool about 6-9 inches + scraped sides, concrete fine.


Comments:

The photo above is labeled "Oct. 1993" but it must have been near the end of the month since Helen is more than "6-9 inches" down. She and Bess dug a trench for the sides of the pool and used the ground as a form when they poured cement for the side walls. After it dried Helen then excavated the middle.

Whenever Helen writes "M" she is referring to her mother, Bess, who was the original builder of Foxcroft.

I can only guess what "put down wood" means: The blueprint for the basement shows a "kindling room" maybe they were putting wood down there to burn in the fireplace that winter? Maybe they laid planks on the gravel driveway for traction in the mud?

I had wooden storms made for the west side of the house, but since it has been so nice I still have the screens on.

1 comment:

Cyndy said...

Wow, 2 women built your house? That's awesome! I had a really bad housebuilding day yesterday and now I feel like a jerk for complaining about my situation. Well I'll get over it. I can't wait to read some more of your blog!