First weekend of build "up"!

4/22/2012

Well, this week and weekend saw the second tour group come and go. This time they were only allowed by the tour director to see the downstairs as touring the whole house takes them longer than the 20 minutes they are allotted at the house. This weekend we finally began the build "up". I'm sure there is some technial term in the construction world for this but we are finished with the "tearing down" and work began on the bathroom today that included repairs to the floor joists. Charlie is working fast now to make the downstairs functional---once there is a full bathroom, we will feel free to begin moving in!

We had a visit from Laurie Graham today--she was a very close friend of Kathryn Coombs. She brought the most lovely 19th century china and transferware for us to display in Dr. Stuart's office---I can't wait to decorate. We talked for a while about Kathryn and what Cleydael meant to her and how sad it was that she had such a short life.

We are expecting to continue work on the bathroom this week. All the walls and baseboards in the rooms downstairs have been scrubbed and are ready for paint!

5 Comments

Stephen Clark

4/25/2012 09:03:34 am

Hello Charlie and Renee. I was part of the second tour group last Saturday. I thank you for your hospitality for taking the time to show us your new home. I also thank you for your work to restore this house to its former glory. You obviously have a passion for what you are doing, and to be frank, I am quite envious! I do have a favor to ask: I see you gave members of the previous tour group a shake and nail from the roof. May I obtain one from you also? I don't know when I will be in your arrea as I live in Bel Air, but could I impose upon you to mail me one during your spare time (I know, that is something that does not exist). I would compensate you for the postage and make a small donation towards your restoration work. Best Regards, Steve

Renee link

4/26/2012 02:49:54 am

Hi Steve, I would love to send you a souvenir shake and nail or two! We were a bit more rushed with the second group as the tour director wanted to stay closer to the schedule than the first group did. Please send me your address to [email protected] and I will get them in the mail. Thanks for coming out to see the property!

Colleen Formby

5/19/2012 10:11:46 am

I am so happy to keep watching the progress on the house! I'm glad Laurie stopped by and y'all could chat about Kathryn....I will always associate her with the house, since she loved it so much...she would be thrilled at the progress you are making! Might I ask a huge favor and get one of the original nails as well? I need to stop by at some point and see everything in person myself!

Renee Parker link

5/19/2012 12:49:19 pm

Hi Colleen, we would love to send you a nail---would you like one of the shakes as well? Send me your address and I will mail it right out. We still plan to move in as soon as Charlie gets the downstairs bathroom finished. That may be as soon as a couple of weeks--feel free to visit anytime! Renee

Megan Hardgrave

4/29/2013 12:20:01 am

Dear Parkers,

I see you have bought the Cleydael property and are into a restoration which is needed. you might like to learn about my book all about Booth and the Lincoln Assassination as it goes along the escape route and details Cleydael visit .

Ps. the house was named after a Belgian Cleydael the ancestral home of Mrs Stuart nee Calvert

Ride With the Assassin by Megan Hardgrave – a new historical fiction novel focusing on the Lincoln Assassination from a teenage witness perspective. The plot revolves around Mark, a boy who unwittingly helps John Wilkes Booth escape from Ford's Theater after he assassinates President Lincoln. For 12 exciting days he travels with Booth along his escape route. It is inspired by a boy who held the reins of Booth's horse on April 14, 1865.

First weekend of build "up"!

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