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Froman House Another historically important group who owned portions of the farm between 1811-1817 was the Shakers of Pleasant Hill. (For more information about the Shakers, visit the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill section of our Tour the Area part of our website). An 1811 Shaker Journal mentions that four Shakers moved from the Pleasant Hill Village 5 miles away lived in “a little old cabin” on Froman’s old farm. While we are not sure of any home improvements undertaken by the Shakers, they did construct the large basement barn north of the house. |
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During the 1820’s, the house was once again enlarged and updated to the Federal Style. Both the upstairs and downstairs halls were lengthened, and the original log walls were covered with plaster made with horsehair. It was during this time that the floor of the original log house was lowered in order to gain more ceiling height in what is now the Log Room. The next, and last, major renovation took place during the 1860’s. The short Italianate Tower was constructed, Victorian brackets were added, and the entire structure was covered with wooden weatherboards and painted white.
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While Ralph and Ruth have not fully restored the Froman House, some improvements were made in 1997. The one room that has been restored back to its original condition is now called the Log Room. The exposed dove tail logs are yellow poplar with mud, horse hair and small rock chink between the logs. In the upstairs hall, two wood eave beams that held the rafters for the old room were found and left exposed. Each wood eave beam is 54 foot long, and is mortised together from two smaller logs. Five Greek Revival doors have the two vertical panels typical of the 1840s. The two-panel doors and two late Federal fireplaces and mantels, with pilasters framing the fireboxes, indicate changes made after 1840. |
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