Kirby House Celebrates Centennial in 2021
|
Over 100 years ago, inventor James Kirby married and settled in Richfield, Ohio. He and his wife planned to build their dream home, grow their family and create a property like no other in the area. Ground broke in 1919 for their main home which was completed in 1921, making this year the 100th anniversary of Kirby House.
The home, which is situated at the south end of Richfield Heritage Preserve, is made in the Swiss Chalet architectural style inspired by German residences in the early 19th Century with large pitched, gabled roofs, wide eaves and exposed bracket tails. Other notable features include large expansive windows, a second story balcony style porch, and constructed mostly of wood with a weatherboard exterior, stone foundation and massive fieldstone fireplace. Utilizing timber and resources like field stone on his property, Kirby’s two-story home sits on a slight rise in the landscape to take advantage of gravity for drainage and the flow of cool spring water to the house. Nestled next to a beautiful white Oak for shade in the summer and buffer from the winter weather, Kirby flanked the other side of his home with a beautifully-inspired English garden. |
|
Inside, wood finishes define the home. The cozy living room is anchored by the stone fireplace and the dining room has a balcony view of the living area. Built-ins and detailing throughout give a nod to the Arts & Crafts design. In addition, the home has a kitchen off the dining room, four bedrooms upstairs and a large enclosed front porch.
During the construction of his home, Kirby worked on patenting his idea to clarify stream water for the first of two beautifully clear lakes which he would eventually stock. This lower lake was filling as anticipation grew for the completion of the home. The main view from inside the home would be the beautiful, man-made lake and which would also eventually become home to the now iconic Kirby Mill, built the following year, which would produce electricity for his home and workshop.
In observance of this historic home, Richfield Heritage Preserve is making plans to celebrate 100 years of Kirby House in the coming months. Stay tuned and look for information in upcoming RHP e-Newsletters.
During the construction of his home, Kirby worked on patenting his idea to clarify stream water for the first of two beautifully clear lakes which he would eventually stock. This lower lake was filling as anticipation grew for the completion of the home. The main view from inside the home would be the beautiful, man-made lake and which would also eventually become home to the now iconic Kirby Mill, built the following year, which would produce electricity for his home and workshop.
In observance of this historic home, Richfield Heritage Preserve is making plans to celebrate 100 years of Kirby House in the coming months. Stay tuned and look for information in upcoming RHP e-Newsletters.