Woodwork

One important aspect of the Dayton House is the amount of intact woodwork.  Over the years, the original integrity of the configuration of the house and the craftsmanship of its components remained surprisingly untouched and largely unaltered.  Perhaps one reason for the near pristine and authentic quality of the work was that it was done so well to begin with and because the house was never vacant.  And although it is a zoned multi-dwelling residence, it has always been owner occupied.

The early owners of the Dayton House were affluent citizens.  A house of this style and construction would not have been built by a laborer, but more likely a mill or factory owner.  First of all, solid brick/masonry construction was the most costly form of building.  It would be today as well – if that form of construction was still employed.  It’s not, mostly because it is so costly.  The house was built in three stages and each stage was the same method of construction.

Baseboard moulding in c.1840 (original) section of the house

Woodwork and moulding in c.1870 addition of house



Another hallmark of affluent construction and design is the use of quality wood and decorative moldings.  While the Dayton House may seem inferior to more showy styles (such as Victorian), it is no less impressive with its simple style door and window frames and baseboards.  The ogee style of the woodwork is historically significant for the time in which it was produced.  Even more significant is that the style and quality was carried on throughout the entire house.  In many homes, only the public rooms received this decorative treatment.  The builders of the Dayton House, at each stage, had ample funds to employ this decorative detail to both public and private rooms.

Window sill moulding in Dining Room

Baseboard in Office/Small room off Dining Room

Upstairs Bathroom - with authentic/period tub, baseboards and Windows, original

Upstairs Bedroom, showing imrpessive molding for a non-public room

That this house was well built to start and has been dutifully maintained is obvious in the fact that most of the original components remain.  That there is so much original intact detailing is a blessing.  It is far easier to move into a historic house that is intact, than it is to take on one that needs to be restored.  The Dayton House is fortunate that it has always been occupied by owners who care about it and who want to see it survive into the future.  The original builder and subsequent builders did their part by constructing a home of quality.  Everyone who has lived here since has benefited from their work and obviously felt committed to maintaining it.   There are many aspects of the house that speak to this sense of importance.  But perhaps one of the most obvious example is found in the woodwork itself.

Furniture

Furnishing and old house can be a challenge.  Modern furniture often looks incongruous, while antiques can be cost prohibitive.  While modern over-stuffed sofas are easy to come by and certainly very comfortable, massive furniture and well stocked rooms are not the friend of old homes with wood joists.  These homes were built at a time when furniture was smaller and houses more sparsely furnished.  You do not do an old home any favors by furnishing it with large reclining sofas, waterbeds and pool tables.

Most of the Dayton House is currently furnished with older solid wood pieces.  Concessions were made for the sofa – a historically correct sofa is not going to be comfortable enough to watch a Sabres game on!  But a small scale sectional sofa fit well into the living room without over-taking it – and a diminutive couch was not an easy thing to find.

One good example of period-appropriate furniture is the dining room set.  This is a Duncan Phyfe reproduction set manufactured by Berhnardt, most likely in the mid 1900’s.   This set was purchased second hand and is not in pristine condition, but it fits well with the style of the house.  We intend to leave this set when we move on and hope it is kept in the house for future owners as it is perhaps the most aesthetically appropriate dining suite for the space.  TLC would do it justice.

Here’s a bit of info about Duncan Phyfe

Duncan Phyfe (1768-1854) was one of nineteenth-century America’s leading furniture makers.  He was born in Scotland and immigrated to Albany, NY. 

Phyfe started out as a cabinetmaker’s apprentice, eventually moving to NY City to open his own shop. He became known as one of America's leading cabinetmakers by selling affordable quality furniture.  Stylistically, his pieces encompassed a broad range of the classical styles popular in the late 1700’s (Empire, Sheraton, Regency, Classical French and Federal).  His most enduring work is a simple style which was in opposition to the imported French designs popular at the time. It’s this simplicity that makes the style of his furniture so well suited to the high quality but simple design of the Dayton House.

Duncan Phyfe's furniture is highly collectible but not easy to find.  If one were to purchase a new reproduction of his classic style drop leaf table today, it would run about $2500.00.  Here’s an example:

The set currently occupying the dining room at the Dayton House could use some refinishing.  The brass knobs on the hutch have been cleaned, but the same still remains to be done on the buffet.  The table itself has a shaky leg that has been shored up.  There is some discoloration on the table and buffet top – but in spite of this all, the set still looks right in the room:

A heavy and ornate modern dining set just isn’t a good fit for this space.

Not quite right for the room:

Old and simple is a better fit for the house than new and ornate!

The Dayton House Recycles

The Dayton House recycles.  Here is one example.  We line our kitchen drawers with brown paper bags from the supermarket.  When they get grungy, they are used in the fire pit.  We like reusable bags but when the only option is plastic, we save that for poop patrol.  The dog eats a raw carb-free diet, so there isn't much to pick up.  We feel a dog is a great rodent deterrent -- unless you fail to pick up the yard.  Rats can eat feces and many city dwellers don't realize that.  It's why we have gravel in the back section of the yard which can easily be kept poop-free.  Every few months we spray Round-up to kill weeds, which is not dangerous once it hits the ground.  But we do that on a weekend we are sending the dog somewhere else.  Keeping the yard weed and vine free is one of the best ways to keep away pests -- crawling and flying kinds alike!

Here's the drawer with more stuff in it.  When we got the historic designation, it was noted that the cabinets were modernized.  There was really not much choice as what was built in had to come out in order to put in new wiring and enclose plumbing that used to run through the shelving. That caused mold and wasn't an idea worth replicating!

The house now has the large recycling tote from the city.  Trash pick up is in the Norther District schedule.  For trash rules, click here.  In the process of cleaning up the house, we've already gotten one ticket for putting out too much trash.  So it's worth it to be aware of the rules.

We do not use an in-sink garbage disposal.  While it would have been cheap and easy to put one in, we didn't want one in an older house and don't suggest any others who live here get one.  The run from the kitchen out to the sewer is a long one and there is no reason to chance plugging anything up along the way.  Old houses just weren't designed for those types of gadgets.   Besides, we feed all of our vegetable scraps which most people shove down the disposer to the dog.  Yet another reason to get one!

Old houses are more "green" than most people think.  However, there are still many ways to recycle and cut down on waste.

And one other old house green tip... old style claw foot tubs require a shower curtain.  Keep them clean by stocking the tub with a plastic spray bottle that is half water and half vinegar.  Spritz the shower curtain after each use.  Once a month, dump a half a cup of baking soda down each drain and follow with half cup of vinegar.  Let it  bubble, then run warm water through.  Your drains will stay clear and you won't hurt your old pipes at all.

Black Rock is Artsy!

Allentown isn't the only neighborhood that has an art scene.  Black Rock is a promising new component to the creative culture that hasn't gotten widespread notice but is catching the attention of those who like to gather and gallery gaze.  Gallery 464 is located at 464 Amherst St.  It keeps neihgborhood company with Artsphere.  While it may seem like an odd situation, Artsphere is located at the front end of Salon Daneen (where I get my hair cut once or twice a year whether I need it or not!).  Daneen's mother is the artist and she creates wonderful renderings of local buildings in pastel, color pencil, water-colors, etc.  In both galleries there are interesting rotations of artists.

Street events occur in the warmer months as a result of activities centered around this small art community.  What is great about this area is that is hasn't gotten so much notice that there are parking issues (or pay stations!), so it makes it a nice place to spend some time -- a cup of coffee from Delish and a trip into a gallery or two to look at prints, jewelry, pottery, etc.

More gallery and art-outlets are sure to appear on this stretch on paved potential.  Between the new restaurants, music oriented store-fronts and specialty stores, there is quite a lot going on in this section of town.  Come by for a visit!

Black Rock is Sweet!

We've been getting pastries at Carriage Trade on Elmwood for years.  It's located on the West side of Elwood between Grote and Marion St.  The best cakes in the city come from this bakery.

Delish has moved from Elmwood to Grant St.  The store is just West of Grant.  This is a big boon for the neighborhood as it's a great place to stop for coffee and an out-of-this-world brownie.  Delish also offers cooking classes.

Wegmans has a respectable bakery but with these two Black Rock gems, it pays to go  local.

Sweet!!!

Black Rock Rocks!

Buffalo's best honky-tonk. It is the real deal!

Located on Amherst St, just west of Grant.  It's been recently expanded and attracts national talent.  The only downside is that the place is not air conditioned!

You can also take music lessons on Amherst Street!  This is the Arts Enrichment Center.  Many of the Amherst St. galleries and eateries feature live music too.

Black Rock Rocks!!!

Down By The River

This picture was taken about a half an hour ago.  It's a pretty typical scene for us in the evening.  While the Dayton House  can't boast actual river frontage, it is two blocks away.

There are a number of great spots on the river and we use them all.  The picture above is a five  minute car ride from the house.  It's Aqua Lane.  It's one of the spots we like to take the dog for open field running.  Walking distance from the house, a good open spot for frolic is either Tow Path Park, which is three long blocks away heading North on the bike path, or Squaw Island which is accessible by the International Railroad Bridge that is two blocks from the house.

If running is your thing, the bike path is a great route.  From the house to the pedestrian bridge (which is just about at the city line) and back is just about 3.5 miles -- great training for a 5K.  Running to the River Grill and back is just over four miles.  If it's a hot day, you can run a little further up to Aqua Lane and grab a drink in the restroom up there.  That will put you just a little under 5.  The Grand Island bridge is a 4 mile run.  Having someone drop you off at the bridge and then running home is a very pleasant route.  Another good one-way route if you have a ride home is up to the gazebo in Isleview Park.  In the summer, that's where you'll hit a water fountain and a big sprayer too.  There is a water fountain at the water treatment plant on River Rd. which helps if you are doing the bridge or Isleview run.

If biking is your thing, it is ten miles up to the North end of the trail.   It is also a very nice ride to take the path south down to the inner harbor.  That route takes you over squaw Island and you can take any number of routes once you get back to the city proper.

There is also now a bike path that hooks the riverwalk to the path over to Delaware Park.

There are many great biking and running routes that mean you don't have to worry about city traffic.  That's just a nice perk to being down by the river!

Officially Notified!

We were officially notified today via US Mail in a letter from the National Parks Service.  Our designation is complete.  In fact, we made it on to Wikipedia!  How many homes can say that?

There is no actual write up about the house and I'll have to see about that!  Unfortunately, the picture shown is prior to our latest paint job.

There are definite benfits to being listed.  From the NPS website:

To recognize the national significance of properties that possess exceptional values or qualities in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States, the Secretary of the Interior designates some historic places as National Historic Landmarks. National Park Service historians and archeologists study and evaluate these properties within the context of major themes of American history. Properties judged to be nationally significant are nominated by the National Park Service and forwarded to the National Park System Advisory Board, which may recommend to the Secretary of the Interior that the property be designated a National Historic Landmark. When designated, National Historic Landmarks are listed in the National Register.

Check out the link on Wikipedia too! 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Register_of_Historic_Places_listings_in_Buffalo,_New_York

The application is on view at the Park Services website, or you can drop by the house and read it anytime.