Audiotour Kidwell Farmhouse

Sometimes referred to as the heart of the farm, the farmhouse serves as both home and business office. Built c. 1895, the farmhouse was restored to its c.1930’s appearance in 1998-2000. The restorations included replacing the original yellow pine siding with tulip poplar. Many parts of the original building were preserves including the wood floors, windows, doors and over 90% of the original wood frame of the structure.  Extensive foundation repairs and a new roof will ensure the building last for visitors to enjoy for many years to come.

Upstairs has three bedrooms. One family that had lived in the house had 9 sons and the two parents sharing those rooms. There was no indoor bathroom until 1942. The house was first heated with woodstoves and later hot water radiators. A cellar below the Front Parlor room, which is not currently open for exhibits, was used to store potatoes, apples and canned goods for winter. It had a dirt floor and a low ceiling to keep the temperatures cool.