This year I'm going to make a spectacular little cardboard putz house for Habitat for Humanity's fundraiser in October. Last year I sold most of my Halloween houses myself, but one house was auctioned off. It raised $80 which was pretty good considering how small it was compared to the other luxurious items in the display. So my plan this year is to build a house that stands out among all the larger auction items.
My next house is based on an actual house in Greenville, SC called the Wilkins house. The property it stood on was sold to a developer who planned to tear the house down to build an assisted living facility. Greenville rallied and raised money to save the house by moving just around the corner. It is estimated that this 750-ton house is the largest house ever moved in SC. After the move, extensive restoration was done to return the house to its former glory (it had been serving as a mortuary) and list it on the National Register of Historic Places. It is unusual for a home that has been moved to be listed on the National Register but because of its superior design and restoration it was considered eligible and was accepted.
 |
| Historic photo of the Wilkins House from 1910 |
 |
| Side of the Wilkins House. The porch is very ornate and must have functioned as an entrance. |
 |
| Wilkins House ready for the move - photo from Greenvilledailyphoto.com |
 |
| Wilkins House after relocation and restoration - photo from Greenvilledailyphoto.com |
I figure this is the perfect house to make for 2018 Habitat for Humanity fundraiser. The design will be greatly simplified from the actual home while still trying to convey what is so wonderful about the Italianate design. I am making the home rectangular rather than square to compress its features somewhat.
Some of the design issues I've been wresting with are:
- How big to make the house?
- How to make the balusters for the porch?
- What angle for the roof?
- How to simplify the complex roof design?
- How to replicate the ornate decorative brackets and cornices?
- How to make the quoins (corner stones on each side) individually or as a strip?
More on how the little cardboard version of the house is progressing in a couple of days. Oh, I forgot to say that I am going to make 2 versions of this house - one for Halloween and one for Christmas. They are going to be really cool and raise a lot of money for Habitat, I hope.
It's New Year's eve and I have to work in a little while which is one of the downsides of working in an emergency department. I hope you have a wonderful new year and that it brings you peace and joy.
Mary W
OK I started reading this backwards and have come to the first posting on this project and all I can say is WOW! Such wonderful work! I know that they must prize seeing you every year and such a good organization. How many houses do you usually make? One for each month?
Again WOW
Mary
Sara Barker
What a fabulous post, Lucy! I've been to Greenville, but don't remember this building. How wonderful they were able to relocate it. I love the photo of the ivy covered facade and the old cars out front. I can definitely see this as a Halloween house! 🙂 I didn't realize you worked in the ED. Thank you for your much needed service to your community. It takes such a special person...Happy New Year!