FEATURE
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By Caroline Tremblay Photography by Kelly Fletcher
here’s something about the grand old homes of yesteryear that always invites us into the mood of story. But it’s even better when one comes with a story that’s not to be missed. One such property has long stood at 110 Court St. in Keene, the seat of Cheshire County, New Hampshire. Though now a residence, the grand white 5,400 square foot building with its columned porch entrance was not always a home. Built in 1797, it first served as a Masonic Hall constructed by the Rising Sun Lodge of Freemasons. According to town history, the structure initially rested on the east side of Main Street, where it was used as a meeting place for the Masons until financial troubles made it no longer viable. According to an account of “Historic Homes of Cheshire County New Hampshire,” written by Marjorie Whalen Smith in 1971, “A mortgage was foreclosed, and the building came into the possession of Jehosophat Grout.” For a time, it was run as a “subscription school,” the term used to describe rural private schools that were attended in the 19th century before public schools became available. It was run by Phineas Cooke, who would become Grout’s son-in-law and inherit the remarkable hall. He and his wife Sophia decided to turn the estate into a residence, but first, they wanted it moved. And this is where the story becomes even more surprising. In her historical writings, Marjorie Whalen Smith described, “The structure was moved up Main Street, swung onto Washington Street and then headed across the vacant land toward the pike. Midway it became mired and froze there before it could be moved farther, spending the winter frozen in open fields at the corner of today’s Union and Pleasant Streets.” Imagine an entire home too frozen to budge! But so it was, and the couple had to wait until spring to complete their mission. Ultimately the hall made it to Court Street, where it remains stationed now, and there the owners lived for about a decade. In 1822, it was sold to Dr. Joseph Wheeler and was passed down through marriage and children within the same family until 1955. During that time, it was home to a number of Keene’s most prominent residents, including a well-known doctor, portrait painter and bookbinder. The full record of its owners can be found in a digital version of Smith’s publication available at keenenh.gov/sites/default/ files/homes.pdf (among many other fascinating local histories). Over the years, the house was added onto and adapted in myriad ways — today the home has 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths — but certain features remain to this day. “The domed ceiling in the dining room, master suite with bathroom, and outstanding kitchen with nesting area are sure highlights,” describes current owner Robert Parisi. Parisi is the owner of PoshHaus, an online purveyor of sophisticated options for kitchen and bath design, which he
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The Many Lives of a Stately Home
This Court Street house in Keen a cherished home and will soon founded in 2012 after moving to the area from Kentucky. He and his four children are now celebrating 10 years in New Hampshire. “To me, I have always gotten out more than what I have put into the Keene area,” he says. What first drew him to the property on Court Street was that “it was large enough for a family and had great future potential for commercial activities,” he explains. Though he also owns the old Adams Farm Development in Westmoreland containing over 300 acres, he says, “I like the downtown life.” One aspect that makes his storied house in Keene such an attractive place to live is that it has come a long way in amenities despite retaining significant historical elements. “The home is very well-equipped for modern living with audio throughout the house, a gourmet kitchen, a master suite that puts hotels to shame, and one full acre downtown, which is amazing.”
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TOP: The home on 110 Court St. in Keene was built in 1797. RIGHT: A modern kitchen and game room bring this home into the 21st century. NEXT PAGE: Jacuzzi tub in the master suite. Sun shines throughout this cheerful home.
