The Richmond Reid Plantation

Happy Friday to you!  Do you have any plans for the weekend?  We'll be celebrating my dad's birthday at my parents' house on Sunday.  His birthday was July 3rd, but it's easier for everyone to get together on the weekend.   On Monday, Hal and I went to the town of Denton, North Carolina, to attend the 48th Annual Southeast Old Threshers' Reunion.       

   This was a LARGE exhibit of antique tractors and engines.  In addition, there are several old buildings on the grounds of the park, such as a white, carpenter gothic style church; a plantation farmhouse with outbuildings; an old general store, barber shop, and post office combined; a radio museum; a gas station, etc.  There are tractor pulls, horse pulls, sheep dog herding (would have liked to see that) and food and drink for purchase.  It was a really hot day, and we drank a lot of fresh-squeezed lemonade.  

     We went through the old farmhouse first, and I was quite taken with this homey house.  This is the Richmond Reid Plantation, built sometime before the Civil War (I wasn't able to find the actual year(s) the house was built).  It was purchased in the 1980's by the owners of Denton Farmpark and moved here to the park from its original location, about seven miles away.     

   Don't you love this room?  I sure do!  I love the robin's egg blue, plank walls, the light coming through the windows, the old brick fireplace with the white mantel, and the potted plant with an American flag on the hearth.  I love the bright golden sunflowers against the blue wall, the iron skillets hanging above the fireplace, and the corner cupboard.      

   The bull's-eye molding around the windows and doors was unexpected, but very pretty.  The jars of garden vegetables looked so bright and cheerful.  

     It looks like this was the room where the family ate their meals and perhaps gathered around the fire in winter.        

    

  

  Does anyone know what this implement hanging on the wall is for?  Is this a primitive style of whisk for cooking?     

 

  On the wall opposite the fireplace was this fancy pump organ.  

 

  One of my favorite things in this room was these curtains.  They were obviously cross-stitched by hand, and I had never seen any like this.  I absolutely love them!      

     It was somewhat dark in the house and bright, bright outside, so it was difficult to get balanced lighting for these pictures.    

  I like the patriotic bunting on the window sill and the colorful tractors lined up outside.    

   

     This small room was adjacent to the room with the farm table.  It contained this chest and a spinning wheel.     

     The pictures above were taken by me; I got a new camera a few months ago, and I really like it.  It's very small, lightweight, and I'm pleased with the quality of the pictures so far.  I'm still learning how to use this one, and I have a lot to learn.  The Canon Rebel just got too heavy and burdensome for me to carry around.       

      These pictures were all taken by Hal; his are always more artistic than mine.  :)       

  

  

   

   We assumed this was a bushel basket in the corner.  I love this picture; the light from the windows has such a dreamy quality.        

  

  

        a second spinning wheel       

    This second pump organ was in the front room of the house.  I felt like this room must have been the parlor, as it seemed a little more formal.  I can't believe that I failed to take any pictures of this room, and except for the organ, Hal didn't take any either.  Slapping my forehead.        

     

  Hal took the picture above, and it could almost be a watercolor painting, don't you think?  The building you see behind the wagon is the cookhouse,    

     and here's the inside of the cookhouse.  As hot as it was the day we were there, I can't imagine having to cook over that hot fireplace, while wearing a long dress with petticoats, I might add.  That would have done it for me, right there.  😏  I was telling my mom about this, and she said they were a lot tougher than us back in those days.  They would have to be.     

      Love this corner cupboard,     

      and this candlestick.     

      The corn dolly on the right is so pretty!  The left one actually looks very old -- much more primitive.  Outside, there was a booth where a lady was selling hand made corn dollies like this, and I could kick myself for not buying one.      Most of the old plantations that we've toured (not that many actually) were on a grander scale than this.  But I really liked this farmhouse; its charm lay in its down-to-earth, homey feel.  If you're interested, you can read more about the farm here.    Thank you for your visit and have a wonderful weekend!!   Blessings,