Roanoke house gets nostalgic restoration

A house Oliver Kitchens recently bought to restore on Roanoke’s Chestnut Street has special meaning to him. Not only is it within a block of where his granddad started and operated the county’s first dry cleaner–before that same granddad built the “elephant gas station” on Main Street–the house is where his dad, Jack Kitchens, was born in 1922. At least three of Jack’s siblings were born there as well.

The first indication of stepping back into history was passing through the low-rise rock wall in front of the house. Clearly more decorative than functional and definitely laid by hand, the rock wall serves as a reminder of times gone by. The original front door has a wind-up, fully functional, mechanical doorbell and a manually operated transom for ventilation. Similar transoms, aided by 12-foot ceilings found throughout the house, demonstrate the ingenuity employed to cool the house well before air conditioning was invented.

Adding further intrigue to the front door is the gingerbread trim and its stained glass of many colors. Oliver said his grandchildren call the house the rainbow house because of the many colors on display on the floor when the sun shines through this and other stained glass found in the house.

Walking through the house makes history come alive. Upon entering the foyer, one notices the ornate filigreed trim near the ceiling and the bead board. The plaster walls and solid doors provide excellent insulation. The majority of the original closets are walk-through closets between the adjoining bedrooms, connecting each room to the next. The closets are of particular interest because of their height–6 feet at the most–barely high enough for the average American of today but doubtlessly more than adequate a hundred or so years ago.

The two full bathrooms have been modernized, but an original functioning claw-foot tub was saved in remarkable condition. Similarly the heating and cooling have been modernized with central air and heat throughout. But the five hearths and mantles, complete with elaborate gingerbread, have been preserved so the sense of revisiting the past remains. Even the utility room for washer and dryer is neatly sequestered so that the modern conveniences do not lessen the historical aura, which is aided by the hardwood floors throughout most of the house.

The kitchen has its own pantry and also an original glass cabinet. Its countertop is anchored by a massive, unique stained wood and iron base.

Perhaps the most unusual room though is the large dining room with six sides. As if a hexagon-shaped room is not enough, two of the larger sides are divided up by doors with transoms, which in turn give the impression the room is actually octagon-shaped. Other nice touches reminiscent of times gone by include sliding pocket doors, 12-inch base molding and ceiling fans.

Out the back door is an ample modern deck overlooking a spacious back yard, which contained what appeared to be a small chimney. Oliver explained that had been a brick barbecue grill. He said his parents had built one just like it for their house before he was born; obviously modeling the one his dad had grown up with.

Roanoke can definitely be proud one of its earliest houses has been restored to its former Victorian glory. This house now joins the list of other restored Victorian houses in Roanoke and could potentially be placed on the historic register.