One of our favorite posts in the archive is the one where we heard from the original owners of our first house — getting those old family photos and reading their memories made the place feel even more alive. We poured over every snapshot and savored each detail they shared in their letter. That experience made us hope the same would happen with our current house: to learn more about its past and the families who made memories there.
We were lucky to know the sellers of our second house, who had lived there for 22 years, so we already felt connected to that home. For our current house, though, there was a long stretch of silence — until recently, when we met Chris, the daughter-in-law of the family who bought the house more than 30 years ago. We hugged, talked about the house, and she kindly allowed us to share excerpts from a letter she sent along with several old photos. Her recollections give a warm sense of the life this house has held.
The house you live in has a wonderful history full of family memories. My husband’s parents bought it when his dad was transferred to Richmond from Cleveland, Ohio more than 30 years ago. They had just become empty nesters and wanted a home in the right location where future grandchildren could visit. In fact, their first grandchild was on the way during their move.
They bought the house while it was still under construction and moved from 500 miles away — an exciting, hectic time. They managed to travel to Texas for the birth of that first grandson, and during their years in the house they celebrated the births of nine more grandchildren and even one great-grandchild. They were dog lovers and brought Chelsea, an English Foxhound, with them. After Chelsea disappeared into the woods one day, another dog named Lady followed my mother-in-law home; she became a beloved part of the family.
My husband and I lived in Richmond during the births of all four of our children. Before the babies arrived we adopted a dog from the Richmond SPCA and brought her straight to the house to meet “grandma and grandpa” before taking her to our own home.
All of our children remember this house as the place where we celebrated Christmas Eve each year, along with many birthdays and holidays. This photo was taken in the back porch — the room you now call the converted sunroom — about 20 years ago.
My father-in-law loved to decorate for the holidays and would often put a Christmas tree in nearly every room. He turned tree-decorating into a game for the grandchildren called “find the ornament,” where he would pick an ornament and the kids would race to find it. Some trees had hundreds of ornaments — it was always a challenge!
My mother-in-law was an excellent cook who invited family over not only for big celebrations but simply because she enjoyed cooking. The kitchen was the heart of the home: well used and much loved. She would spend days baking cookies to take to Virginia Beach, where sometimes all three of her children and ten grandchildren gathered.
The kitchen once featured an antique chandelier that belonged to my mother-in-law’s grandmother. It was treasured, though it hung low enough that most visitors bumped their heads on it at least once. That chandelier was removed before the house was sold.
After moving in, they added the back porch and outside deck, which they used every day. He would read the newspaper on the porch while she worked on needlepoint pillows. This photo shows my mother-in-law presenting one of her pillows to my daughter in the living room.
The tree that used to grow through the middle of the deck (which you have since removed) started as a small sapling when they built the deck around it — chosen deliberately for the shade it provided. Over the years it grew very large.
I love seeing how you’ve made the house your own. The new hardwood floors upstairs look great, and the stenciled bathroom floor is a lovely touch. My mother-in-law slept in what is now your daughter’s room during her later years — she would have been delighted to see it refreshed into such a bright, playful space. The renovated half bath downstairs looks so much lighter and cleaner. I’m excited to see future improvements and wish you many happy years in the house. – Chris
We are so grateful to Chris for writing and sharing those photographs and memories. It’s amazing to hear that the tree on the deck began so small — do you remember how big it became before we had it taken down?
Hearing these stories made the house feel even more meaningful to us. The idea that it hosted so many family gatherings, home cooking sessions, Christmas trees, and dogs gives us a deeper appreciation for the place we’re caring for now. As an extra treat, we also heard from Erin, one of the grandchildren who spent time there. Her short note captured the same gratitude:
I’m one of the ten grandchildren of the original owners of your house. My mom shared your blog and I’m amazed at how wonderful the house looks. I have so many fond memories from that home, and I’m thankful you’ve moved in and documented the updates. Thank you for helping me stay connected to the house and for bringing new life to its foundation. – Erin
It’s powerful to connect with people who remember a home so fondly. Have you ever heard from the original owners of a house you’ve lived in? Or uncovered something memorable during renovations — like the little treasures we found hidden under the original kitchen cabinets in a past home? We’re curious to see what we might find when we open walls and redo the kitchen here; so far the only artifact we’ve discovered is an old water bill tucked into the trash compactor.