Way back in the early 1900s, very near Killarney, two Kellaway brothers built two nearly identical and very grand farmhouses, situated about a mile apart from one another.
Both still stand, but today, one is in ruins; the other, about to be completely restored and renovated.
My friend Reg Sawatzky of beautiful downtown Killarney, yours truly and more than 5,000 others belong to a group called Manitoba’s Abandoned History (MAH). Our mission: to take pictures and videos of MAH — preserving at least a visual record of what was.
Today’s star home comes to us courtesy of Sawatzky’s busy camera, and is the least healthy version of the heritage homes mentioned above.
I am very familiar with this handsome old home, as back in 1982, Mustard family close friend Betty Copping rented it and renovated it, then lived in it for four years.
Doesn’t really look as though anyone’s lived in it that recently, does it? Mother Nature and non-resident visitors have taken their toll on the old dear. Nevertheless, some of us still see the same dignity and beauty in it that Betty experienced the first day she checked it out as a possible home. My thanks to Betty for sharing a few memories with us today:
Hi Laurie,
When I first saw the place, which had been unlived-in for some time, I fell in love with it just driving up the driveway. When I went inside, the kitchen, dining room, living room walls and ceilings were literally black from smoke stains.
The oven door of the cookstove was open and there was a pot full of soupy, grey water with the bodies of three dead mice floating in it.
Not a great first impression, but the sun was shining in the dining room windows and the lovely bay window in the living room, and then I saw the fireplace. I had always wanted a fireplace! Then we went through to the hall and I saw the veranda and that beautiful staircase! Upstairs, another veranda!
The place had a very friendly feel, and the yard was amazing — very overgrown, but amazing.
It would be fine for me and my horses but was going to need some work. As I could only rent, I had to decide if the cost of making it livable was worth it.
I decided the answer was yes and made the changes. It was like that old place wrapped its arms around me, saying, "I will look after you and keep you safe." It kept its promise.
I loved sitting in the dining room watching the array of birds that came to my feeders. Chickadees, redpolls, two different kinds of woodpeckers, juncos, grey and yellow grosbeaks — so colourful they looked tropical, blue jays and many more.
I loved discovering plants that had survived in what had once been elaborate gardens, and finding the apple and crabapple trees and what turned out to be beechnut trees in what had once been an extensive orchard. So enjoyed my time there...
— Betty Copping
I certainly understand your feelings, Betty. It was always wonderful to visit you and your magnificent home.
Sawatzky says of the 80 to 100 other homes he’s photographed in the past year or so (always seeking permission), many do feel warm and welcoming. The range goes from "homes that feel like a place where you can really imagine kids playing and laughing" to the odd one that can even feel almost "evil." Ooh.
Happy to report that this one still has a family and happy kids living in it. Sawatzky says the farmers working the land sometimes see raccoons watching them drive by from the upstairs bedroom windows.
Sweet old house. Always has its arms around someone.
Comments or feedback, love to hear from you at lmustard1948@gmail.com.
