In 2004, while preparing to build the Firehouse Museum building, the adjacent quadruplex came on the market. The idea for purchasing and restoring the neighboring property quickly took hold. To bring the apartment back to its original state would take lots of funding and eventually two years of mostly sweat labor. How fast the project could be done eventually came down to how fast the funds could be raised. Both new additions to the Badin Historic Museum opened to the public in 2006.
The word went out: The museum was looking for stuff. Through generous community support the house began to take shape. Original floors were refinished to a high gloss, period furniture was donated and put in place. The original downstairs bathroom was restored, the kitchen was equipped with an icebox and wood burning stove. The original kitchen china hutch was restored. A parlor stove was added to the front room.
Visitors often are reminded of grandmother’s house. We challenge the younger generation to understand what “house work” meant in those days. What part did children play in daily life?
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