Livin’ like The Pilgrims

What’s up, friends?

 As we approach Thanksgiving this Thursday, I thought it would only be appropriate to travel back to the roots of holiday…

So, not only are we near the shores of Massachusetts, but we’re in a home that predates the American Revolution. And I fear that it has never been renovated.

Built in 1683, this 3-bed, 2-bath home has over 4.5k sq. footage, 1 acre of land, and enough history to fill its own encyclopedia.

According to my calculations (Wikipedia), the Pilgrims arrived in “the Americas” in 1620. That would mean that today’s property was most likely built by the first or second generation of Pilgrims born on this land.

Similar to the famous ships that sailed the Pilgrims here, this entrance is wooden, cramped, and possibly seeped in rat urine.

When living rooms weren’t popular, there were libraries! This one has wall-to-ceiling built-in shelves that have been accented by the various types of wooden chairs around the space.

Green walls give a great calming vibe to this quaint room -and make for a perfect introduction to this (rather) dated home.

Pig found in kitchen? Typical… for the 1600s. The wooden beams with brickwork give a rustic appearance to this kitchen -which is genuine to its origins… but what would you cook with for today’s needs? I’m unsure if there’s even an outlet.

Irony is not beneath this house, it’s within it: the ginormous “ANTIQUES” sign being the piece that overlooks this entire dining room is -dare I say- kinda iconic. At the same time, the hanging of a plush opossum and many wicker baskets is confusing decor.

For decor that reminds you both of then and now, check out this bathroom: it has electrical sconces that look like candles, washboards on the floor, and a bathtub in the open air… huh? I understand that this house is OLD, but the idea of a warm bathtub in the middle of a wide, poorly-insulated space sounds horrible! Imagine trying to bathe while the air is freezing, and the ghosts of America’s past watch over you… 

Three bedrooms exist within these walls -and they’re all unique in their own way: 

I call this first one, “Old,” because it looks really old.

There’s not a lot going for this room besides it’s bland nothingness. 

I call the second room, “Blue,” because it has this fascinating blue wall with detailing identical to the door. It reminds me of the concealed doorways found in the estates of 18th Century Royalty… which is technically after when this home was built… I guess that makes Pilgrims the original influencers?

Finally, I call this third bedroom “Wallpaper,” because it’s the only room with outdated, mind-numbing, boring (can you tell I don’t like it?) wallpaper. It’s just another reminder of how devoid of contemporary life this home was created in. I mean, most of the objects in this house seem to predate electricity.

Oh my, come out here…

I found present-day technology! And a modern upholstered couch! And it totally feels out of place.

Speaking of feeling “out of place,” I gotta show y’all the washing machines…

Besides the normal washer-dryer combo, and the egregious basket decor, WHY is there a giant cage taking up most of the room?? 

Wait… is that what they used to use to trap Thanksgiving turkeys? 

All of your turkey trap necessities can be found in this spacious shed. Before technology, I assume that woodworking would be a nice hobby because it consumed so much time. Much more productive than doom-scrolling.

Outside, you can head into this wide garden space. And, if you want more room to grow things, head to the greenhouse:   

These magical rooms are uncommon nowadays, but they’re gorgeous to see. Yeah, the plants in this one are barren, but imagine if they were in full bloom!

Walk through the rest of the backyard to discover a joyous forest of life -complete with faux ducks.

It’s a home that’s stood the test of time. Maybe it’s a metaphor for the strength of a family, for this Thanksgiving. Or maybe it’s the gratefulness that’s kept this home from falling apart for all these years. 

From all of us at Estate, we wish you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving ☺️

Sarah @Hometastrophes