6739 N. Newgard Avenue

6739 N. Newgard Avenue the Barry House.

This house was featured in the 1991 Annual Fall House Tour.

Circa: 1893

Original Owner: Mr. Benson

Present (1991) Owner: The Barry Family

The Barry House is a Queen Anne Victorian style house, with its multiple gables and wrap-around porch, is a legacy of the early 1890s. The columns are original (1991) but new spindles and railings were added in 1980. The gingerbread rising sun, over the main entrance, was an addition by the present (1991) owner.

The foyer of this house greets you with its original oak woodwork and beautiful staircase. The wainscotting follows the underpart of the stairs up to the second floor. Another feature of the foyer is a new (1991) powder room which was added prior to 1961. The bookcases on the right are in keeping with the original woodwork. An antique bureau desk, with a carved lion's head and a curved glass door, faces the front entryway.

To your immediate right is the living room with its lowered ceiling, magnificent bay picture windows, and original oak woodwork. The furniture and pictures complement this area.

The living room and dining room are in their original position except that there was a large pocket door separating the two rooms. This had been replaced by arches. In 1990, all the arches on the first floor were changed by replicating the missing original woodwork. Today (1991), this is a multipurpose area. The original fireplace had been covered up, but was restored by the Barrys.

The sitting room was originally the dining room, and has a beamed ceiling, original oak woodwork, original bay window, a window seat, a recently restored antique lighting fixture, and a built-in cupboard. The latter is complemented by a china cabinet that was found in the basement of the house being used as a paint shelf.

Moving east, to the right of the sitting room, is the kitchen. This area has maintained most of its original features including maple floor, trim, and doors. Lighting and cabinets were installed by the Barrys.

The back stairway was thought to be used as access to servants' quarters. This is just off the kitchen. A new deck off the kitchen, was added to the house in 1980 and a later addition to it put on in 1991.

The second floor can be reached by the beautiful front staircase. The ceiling over this staircase was lowered for the conservation of heat. Entering the long hallway, you will find four bedrooms and two baths. The main bath remains original, although some remodeling was done over the past years.

The master bedroom with its antique furniture, new ground level storage cabinets, and picture wall, and much light from the bay window, makes this area a great one. A powder room and dressing room, once another bedroom, enhance this area. Another of the bedrooms has been converted to an office by the Barrys.

In the large middle bedroom, with its bay window, only the wall paneling was added. A 19th Century dresser highlights this room. At the far east end of the long hallway, with most of the rooms on the south, there is what may have been, the original maid's room, remodeled in 1970. There is also an upper back porch off this hall that was redone in 1985.

Photos

RPWRHS photo S013-0870 shows the Barry House at 6739 N. Newgard Avenue in 1991.