About the Architecture
Cate, I have noticed a few times now that you have mentioned uninspired Architecture in the area, but at the same time, are looking at older homes.
Unlike some of our other NE states, the northern NE states history is staged around agriculture that has remained in place far longer than the southern half. That puts most of the older homes in the "function over form" group rather than the modern preferred "form over function".
The colonial style homes of this area, are in themselves "plain" to say the least. Whether it be a two-story colonial, a 1/2, 3/4 or full cape or a saltbox. For anyone that is wondering, those are the only reconized styles of colonial architecture, the full dormered cape or dormered cape were not practical in Colonial times to build and thus came about at the same time as the Arts and Crafts style homes (the both were the working man's way to keep up with those Victorian folks on a DYI or budget standpoint).
The New England style farm house was an addition to this area, after Colonial times for the farmer that had a little more time on their hands to sit on the porch and watch the kids work. Again an adaptation of a two-story colonial.
Most of the original colonial architecture in the southern NE states was more to show your neighbors how much money or influence you had, up here, not so much. It was a roof and a place to feed.
I am just curious what your looking for in the way of inspired Architecture? No right or wrong answer, just curious.
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