Back Porch

Here are a few photos of the back porch. :)

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Oak Cottage: Front Porch ...

Since I wasn't able to take any really good interior pictures the last time I was at "The General" - I took a couple of pictures of the porches - which are at least nearly complete. Here are two close up pictures I took of the front porch (and one of the New Jersey Regisiter of Historic Places certificate.)

Why we haven't invited you *inside*....

Everyone keeps saying they want to see the interior of Oak Cottage. ... And, we'd love to show you the inside ... so, what's the problem?

The truth is the house is really ... well, *really* messy right now!

Everyone knows Oak Cottage IS still under construction/restoration - so I suppose we *could* show some pictures anyway. But the question is: Can you see the enough of the house through the clutter - or will be pictures be almost confusing?

... So, how messy is this place? A picture's worth 1,000 words:

Progress

I hate to post something without any pictures so nothing has been posted in a while. This is such a busy time of year for us - that I keep looking for excuses NOT to take time out to take photos of the progress - but I will try to do so tomorrow.

I picked up a sign we had made a few hours ago. We are going to put a sign in front of The General with the address of our website: http://www.oakcottage.info/ - and the website will have a link to this blog. :)) (We could have used http://newjerseyhistorichomesforsale.com/ - which is the SAME website - but seems too long to put on a sign!) There is always a lot of interest in and curiosity about Oak Cottage - so we're happy to keep the website and the blog updated as progress is made. We are grateful for all the interest and for all our well-wishers.

I'm hoping that the roofs will soon be **completed**. They are all water-tight and fully functional now - but some will be having some cosmetic work done (shakes or trim added) - and I'd *really* like to see all that DONE before winter really sets in! This past week Bob and Jason worked on the back porch - which is now complete. (I think we're undecided about whether we want to paint - or leave the wood natural (meaning the wood walls and the wood ceiling and trim.) Bob purchased the higher quality wood so that painting would be optional. I'll try to get some pictures of that tomorrow.

Some neighbors stopped by today and said they saw someone taking photographs of the house and the pond twice this week. This isn't uncommon - yet it still always makes us curious about who stopped by and how the photographs came out. ... We hope it was the local newspaper. We love to see stories and photos of Oak Cottage published!

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween! (Ours was very nice - and quiet!) Please come back frequently! We love visitors!!

Happy Halloween!

This is the first year we did anything with Oak Cottage to celebrate Halloween. It's not much - but it's the thought that counts - right? (We begrudge every moment that's not spent actively renovating!) Our youngest daughter carved 2 pumpkins for the porch and we placed many potted mums in front. You can see some of our new landscaping in this photo too (OK - you have to look closely because all of the Sand Cherry bushes have already lost their leaves and the Rhodendrum and Giant Azalea are still fairly small.) But we're anticipating a gorgeous spring bloom - and a finally green lawn!

Happy Halloween!!

From All of Us to All of You

Currier & Ives

Currier & Ives? It looks like it could be! Wanted to share a few more 'pretty as a picture' photos taken today. They all look like Currier and Ives paintings - but the ones of the pond and the direct front of the house are, I think, ofavorite!

Historic Snow on Historic Oak Cottage

OK - the snow might not be exactly "historic" - but the last time it snowed here this early in the year was 1979. And even then it wasn't THIS much snow. The peak of Schooley's Mountain was covered with about 8 inches of snow today - October 28, 2008!

I LOVE the way Oak Cottage looks in the snow. It could be a Currier and Ives painting - IRL. And once the electric (and lights) are on in the house I'm sure it will be an inspiration to the likes of Thomas Kinkade!

We really wanted to document this snow on "The General" - but the trip was ... well ... memorable. This snow was so unexpected that no one was prepared. People went to work in cars totally unequipped to drive in this weather. The towns didn't have plows or salters ready. And, worst of all, the snow on the trees (which still have not lost their leaves) was so heavy that huge limbs were falling across roads everywhere! But, it was as *beautiful* as it was hazardous!

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In the beginning ...

In the beginning things seemed to get worse before they got better. The first thing we did was remove part of the fence from around the property so that dumpsters could be delivered. The next step was removing all the brush and trees growing too close to the house. Several of the trees were poised to fall on the house - and could have totally destroyed the home if they had fallen. Then we began removing the wood from the boarded up windows. The house needed ventilation - and this was the only way to provide it. Even our youngest child tried to pitch in - raking dirt where bushes and stumps had been removed.


When I look back at the very old photos (like these) I think we all must have been either temporarily insane or blind to have tackled this project. And as bad as he looked when we purchased him (the lower photo) - he seemed to look WORSE as we began restoration. Removing the fence and the brush and the boards really highlighted the extent of work ahead of us. Especially, I think, to me. Everyone else involved in the project was predicting that it looked much worse than it was - and that the restoration would be completed in one year. When I predicted two to two and a half years I was chided for always being the pessimist of the family. But, I think we all agree now that the project will actually take about 3 years from start to absolute - you couldn't possibly find anything more to do if you tried - finished. Even being the 'pessimist' that I am - I'm planning the 'Wrap Party' already!

Details of Oak Cottage at: http://NewJerseyHistoricHomesForSale.com

Oak Cottage December 1995

This is a picture of Oak Cottage as we found him in December 2005. Quite the sorry sight! But he still had such good bones - and such character! We couldn't turn away (though there have been many times over the last few years when we almost wish we had!) So far we've invested 3 years of nearly full time labor. Bob has nearly lived at "The General" - and many talented craftsmen / subcontractors have been retained as well. There have been many challenges and hardships - and massive investments - both financially and emotionally. Our entire lives have revolved around this project for a long time. But it has had it's rewards as well. We've met many very kind people - and had the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles - and the delight of breathing new life into this wonderful piece of history! Sometimes it almost seems as though the house itself is trying to thank us. We hope you'll follow along with us on this last leg of our very long journey! http://newjerseyhistorichomesforsale.com

Welcome to Historic Oak Cottage Blog!

PICTURE: Postcard picturing Oak Cottage circa 1908





Please come back frequently! We will be posting lots of pictures of what historic Oak Cottage looked like BEFORE the renovation - as well as updates of progess on the project!

Oak Cottage (a recognized historic treasure) is currently offered For Sale By Owner.

Please email: admin@NewJerseyHistoricHomesForSale.com for details!

Visit our website at: http://newjerseyhistorichomesforsale.com/