Is there life after restoration?

In Sept '93 Heather & I purchased a circa 1840 farmhouse... called The Montgomery House.  It is one of the oldest houses in Decatur and was the first house built outside of the city that was not a log home. The house had been in the Montgomery family since 1855. Work done to date includes: Adding a 2nd story to the 1-story section (space for MBR suite, laundry room, and bath) Installing city water and a 200-amp underground electrical service Gutting the kitchen & dining room areas Installing new hardwood flooring Salvaging the floors in the front parlor & upstairs family room Adding a 16' x 25' deck Thinning trees & vegetation... it was really overgrown.    Montgomery House (Decatur Herald & Review 1970) This photo was taken by our local newpaper in 1970.  It appeared in a book of Decatur's historical homes that was published for America's bicentennial celebration.  According to that book, it was (at that time) the 2nd or 3rd oldest house in Decatur.   Notice the widow's walk on the roof.  You can get up there via the attic stairs.  Norma (Montgomery) Jones told us it was there so they could look for Indians!   The "fancy" front portion of the house was an addition built in 1885 in preparation for a 50th wedding anniversary celebration of Mr. & Mrs. William F. Montgomery.   Montgomery House (1996)    Here's the same view... but almost 30 yrs later.  Shutters aren't put back yet (that's a summer '98 project).  House is now gray w/ white trim... the gutters are also gone.  We installed a system called Rainhandler in place of conventional gutters.  We've got lots of trees on the property... and we don't have to worry about gutters getting clogged.   The front hall stairs   This is a close-up of the woodwork on the "front" stairs in the 1885 addition.  The stairs are "suspended"... making a 90-degree curve at the top.  The only support is at the floor and at the outside wall. The handrail is black walnut... and curves with the stairs.  A neat feature.   We toured some old Decatur houses last night (11/28/97) and saw the exact same detailing on a set of stairs in a 1879 home.   Our deck... 1997     We added this deck this summer ('97).  There are still a few "loose ends" on it... but it's usable and it's a relaxing place to be on a summer day.  Lots of shade... not to mention birds, squirrels, rabbits and Heather's gardens.