Letter to the Editor: Town's History is Told in Parmelee Farm

"$100 door knobs"?

There are only two doorknobs - both modern - on the Parmelee Farmhouse, both on exterior doors. The Killingworth Historical Society plans to replace them with historically correct latches. All of the interior doors have original latches which will be carefully preserved. "$100 door knobs" is a completely ridiculous and uninformed comment.

The KHS is prepared to commit tens of thousands of dollars to the restoration of the interior of the farmhouse. The KHS is already responsible for the insurance and utilities for the building. Yes, the Town of Killingworth is responsible for the exterior of the building (as with the Library, per the lease executed by Jerry Lucas, which seems reasonable for Town owned buildings). And yes, the exterior of the farmhouse has been restored and repainted by the Town, which should be proud to have preserved this important example of an early Georgian Colonial house.

In 2011, the Parmelee Farm was listed on the Connecticut State Register of Historic Places. This is a significant and important property, and historians have marveled at the integrity of the farmhouse, the old town highway behind the farmhouse and the unique setting. This property speaks to the history of our Town and the transition from colonial farming to local industry and commerce, and the exodus of much of the population to the "Western Reserve" in Ohio. The story of the population of Killingworth plummeting from several thousand to several hundred by the end of the 19th century is told in this property. What a great example and educational resource for our townspeople and our children who attend the adjacent Middle School! (Our children - in fact all fourth graders - already attend a session at the KHS one room Green Schoolhouse on Roast Meat Hill Road every year - something they all look forward to.) 

The KHS asked me to take the lead in developing a plan for the restoration of the interior of the Parmelee Farmhouse. Last week Terry Doyle, Lew Scranton, Doug Ewers, Robert Broach, Tim Gannon and I spent about 100 hours, collectively, working to remove modern material from the interior of the Farmhouse. We spent $32.47 on material, paid for by the KHS. This is a trivial amount of course - the cost of materials for the restoration of the interior may reach $10,000 or more - but whatever the cost for the interior restoration is, it will be paid for by the KHS.

Our Town, using the funding of the State of Connecticut STEAP Grant, should upgrade the electrical, plumbing, septic, and possibly fire protection. Architects and our Building Inspector are committed to providing this upgrade within the $150,000 STEAP Grant. 

I stand behind my statement at the January 10, 2011 BOS Meeting that the farmhouse and stone barn should be restored with the $150,000 STEAP Grant (and a lot of volunteer help). We had the roof of the Stone Barn repaired, thanks to the help of a local roofing contractor, for $260. Last week I reglazed one of the windows in the Stone Barn, and plan to reglaze the remaining two windows this week. A friend and fellow Lion has agreed to help restore the doorways. This will make the Stone Barn useable for storage by the Community Garden for a few hundred dollars.

Sunday afternoon, the Farm hosted a very meaningful and touching "celebration
of life" for Ed Hayash. Kudos to Tim Gannon, Peg Scofield, Cathy Iino, Karen and Michael Milano, the Killingworth Lions Club and the Killingworth Foundation for their commitment to our community and the Parmelee Farm property.

Bruce Dodson

Killingworth