6701 N. Newgard Avenue
6701 N. Newgard Avenue, Mrs. J.J. Lynch, 1919.
6701 N. Newgard Avenue, was featured in the 1992 Annual Fall House Tour.
6701 N. Newgard Avenue, was also featured in the 2002 Fall House Tour Booklet.
Circa: 1892
Original Owner: J. Knickerbocker
Present (1992) Owners: Robert Bell and Larry Long.
Present (2002) Owners: Robert Bell and Tom Buchanan.
The information, below, is an assemblage of the 1992 and 2002 Fall House Tours' descriptions.'
Originally built in 1892 by J. Knickerbocker, this Victorian house has seen many changes throughout its long history. The most drastic came mid-20th Century when it was converted to a rental property containing six separate apartments with individual kitchens. Fortunately the present (2002) owners, Robert Bell and Tom Buchanan undertook the complete restoration of this house, which today (2002) looks very similar to its beginnings.
The most important external thing about the house is its turret and bay windows. The oval windows that sit just under the eaves complement the corbels are replacements for two windows of different lengths and the present window was also a replacement for a door.
Another striking change was the porch. The iron pillars and rails were replaced by wooden pillars and picket rails. The vessours on the basement remain original.
Upon entry through the original door and vestibule, the visitor encounters a grand open staircase. A high level of craftsmanship is evident in this execution of the staircase, with beautiful oak newel posts and banisters.
Under the stairs, was once a doorway to the basement apartments. The downstairs bathroom is also accessible from this area.
Wide doorways lead from the foyer to both of the large parlors, an essential element of all Victorian houses. The generous oak moldings and picture rail have been painstakingly stripped and refinished, as have all of the home's oak floors. The south parlor contains a fireplace in its original location, but the mantle has been replaced.
After walking through the dining room, you enter the modern portion of the house. Absorbing elements of original kitchen, pantry and porch, a new kitchen and sun room was created. Unlike most 1890s period kitchens, which were notoriously dark and crammed, this new addition is generously sized with great views of the backyard and porch, pond, and garden.
The second floor is as magnificent as the first. One enters this floor from the main foyer by way of its elegant staircase. At the top landing appears the entrance to the attic, located in the middle of a long, wide walkway. To the right of the attic entrance is the master bedroom with a deep, walk-in closet and bathroom.
The turret in the master bedroom extends uninterrupted all the way up to the roof line. The bay window below is highlighted by the lighting effect installed during the remodeling. The guest bathroom, which maintains the decorative pace, is to the right of the main bathroom.
The bathroom, directly east of the long hallway, has been greatly enlarged. The last room, to the left of the bathroom, is being used as an office, and remains its original size.
Photos
RPWRHS Photo S013-2300 Bell/Buchanan House, 1992 House Tour Homes, 6701 N. Newgard Avenue, Tuesday, September 1, 1992.
