I love old houses because they come ready-filled with a history of love. Today: Judy’s lovely story about the 1958 kitchen that her mother Doreen still uses today, after moving in when it was brand new.
Yes, 58 years in the same kitchen… which even after hearty duty serving up three squares a day to five children, remains in great condition … with the same pots and pans, same glitter laminate, same checkerboard tile… little changed from the day it was built. What a testament to quality — and to tender loving care. Judy’s key question — in return for sharing this story — is: Can we connect her with someone in Calgary, Alberta, who would be interested in visiting, documenting, and perhaps even agreeing to remove the kitchen and set it up somewhere so it can be visited? This is a time capsule story she would like to see endure.
I asked Judy if she could tell us the story of the kitchen. She wrote:
We quickly outgrew the two bedroomed bungalow my father and his brother built in the northern outskirts of Calgary, and moved in 1958 to a new four-bedroomed ‘split-level’ in the city’s expanding southern suburbs. We soon became five children surrounded by countryside, biking everywhere, and always came home hungry.
My mother’s kitchen was her domain – organised, clean, polished, and productive with home-made bread, tins of cookies, three meals a day, plus snacks like popcorn and fudge for seven of us. The ages from father to youngest child were spread over 52 years; this may explain why no changes were ever made, there was never a break in the cooking. At the age of 91, my mother still cooks for herself, as well as her middle son and grandson who look out for her.
A 25 lb. turkey was slow-roasted for seven hours when an extended family of up to 14 gathered for Thanksgiving and Christmas. (We’d have to take turns for the roasted skin flap, which meant the prize came only every couple of years). For New Year, we would tuck into her homemade noodles and turkey broth.
Her cupboards still hold to the same arrangements as in the beginning: tea, coffee and crackers above the gas stove, flour, sugar and other baking needs above the single square metre of workspace she had.
The original, giant, Whirlpool fridge, working until recently, is now stored in the basement.
The linoleum floor, regularly waxed is still in great condition.
Formica work top, mahogany plywood cupboard doors with copper knobs and pull-down copper pendant lights are just as they were in the beginning; even the full set of heavy, aluminum, Wear Ever pans with copper lids and Bakelite handles.
Wall-mounted knife holder and rotary can opener have been in place since the beginning. Tappan oven and gas stove top still work perfectly.
Is it exceptional for a kitchen of this period to exist, still be in use, and be almost intact? I’d love to know. Also, I’d love to think that the kitchen might be preserved. Anyone buying the house after she’s gone will tear it out. Can anyone help? My main question is this: Would anyone be interested in visiting, documenting, and perhaps even agreeing to remove the kitchen and set it up somewhere so it can be visited? I’m grateful to find a like-minded, knowledgeable and enthusiastic ear for this. It would mean a lot to have someone in Calgary look at it.
Judy, I do know someone in historical preservation in Calgary. I will be sure to email her this story, to see if she has any ideas for you. Meanwhile, I take a stab at one of your questions:
Q. Is it exceptional for a kitchen of this period to exist, still be in use, and be almost intact?
A: Yes. We do see them, but they are getting more and more rare. Your mom’s kitchen is particularly notable, I’d say, because it still has the laminate countertops and original flooring — these often get replaced over the years. I see that you have changed out the fridge and the dishwasher, possibly the faucet, too; but these are easier to replace with authentic vintage if that is a goal. Flooring and laminate: Not so much. In fact, there is no known source, worldwide, for glitter laminate right now. So this kitchen is a delight to see. It’s also so incredibly heartwarming — and again, rare, I’d say — to see cookware and decor still in place, still in use. Such a testament to enduring quality, care and thrift.
I will also say: Unchanged vintage kitchens and houses — time capsule houses — have become increasingly desirable over the past few years. Many readers here are actively seeking them out. We want the original glitter and floor tile and wood cabinets and appliances — all of it! So don’t give up hope that the next people who live in this house won’t love it as much as you do; it’s possible. That said, yes: Gut remodels happen. More often than not, that’s the harsh reality. So we will do what we can to help you — maybe a museum WILL be interested. We’ve seen it happen before.
Thank you so much, Judy, for sharing this story with us. It’s just wonderful. xoxo
Pat says
I use a can opener like that, wouldn’t have any fancy electric one for anything! Mine is red, love it!
Mary Elizabeth says
I think the answer to the kitchen being in such good shape is that it was cleaned regularly with non-abrasive, non-acidic cleaners and that when things were broken they were fixed instead of replaced. My 1959 kitchen has had very few changes in it because Dorothy and Mike, the original owners, cleaned and restored it regularly. For example, their daughter told me that every few years her father took off all the cabinet doors and refinished them. I hope Doreen has many more years to be in her own kitchen until anyone has to worry about taking it apart and preserving it.
Marguerite says
You are right on with your comment. It’s the up keep and pride that kept this kitchen and any others like it going strong after decades of lived in use. Back in the 50s this WAS brand spanking new. Doreen kept it looking great year after year. That was a time when people expected that their new kitchen would last for the life of the house. I live in a house built in 1958 also. The original owners were as careful as Doreen. Their 3 kids grew up here and the house never bore any scars. The same for my neighbors next door. They are the original owners of their 1962 colonial. Still the same kitchen and baths that withstood 6 kids growing up inside those walls. The house looks great. I don’t think we’ll see this ever happen again. That’s what makes RR so special to us all.
Penny says
I freaking love this kitchen! I would be so happy here. I recently found a can opener just like her Mom’s yellow one but mine is red, purchased at an estate sale. If wishes could come true, this would be my dream kitchen!
magnarama says
I just looked at a house built in 1958 in my town yesterday, almost (but not quite) as intact as Doreen’s. Stunning tile bathrooms and kitchen, BIG knotty pine rumpus room. I believe they painted the bespoke birch cabinets, but that’s fixable. I’m seriously considering it…
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/809-Park-Ave-Florence-SC-29501/75258450_zpid/
Brenda says
I seen a home similar to the one your looking at an open house. Others coming in saying they woud gut the kitchen & bathrooms. They were in excellent condition as was the beautiful glitter tile. It was so beautiful. http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/501-Walnut-Ave-Vacaville-CA-95688/15704724_zpid/
magnarama says
Oh Brenda, that Vacaville house was gorgeous! Love that pink tile hallway floor, never seen that before. I see it sold, let’s say a prayer that the buyers don’t gut those gorgeous tile bathrooms (original pink tub AND toilet!).
lynda says
I think it is lovely, magnarama! Pretty yard and nice interiors.
Good luck if you decide to buy it.
ron says
And i bet she has the same Sunbeam mixmaster she started out with
saw this on a website i belong too automaticwasher.org
Cindy says
I love seeing the slightly earlier version of the Tappan double oven. We have 1959 in yellow, but with a glass cover. It’s a beast to maintain, and some parts are missing, but we carry on! I have that counter but in white in my jack and jill. It’s so lovely to see your original floors, to get an idea of what mine looked like back in the day!
Ginene Nagel~Fox and Finch Antiques says
I love to see people who haven’t succumbed to the disposable world. Beautiful woman and wish I had her kitchen!
toni says
I have that same knife holder hanging in my kitchen right now.
I’m confused as to where this is. I assumed United States but the photo caption says England and Canada.
Jill says
The story says the house is in Calgary, Alberta which is in Canada.
Mary Elizabeth says
The Mum lives outside of Calgary in Canada. Her daughter who wrote to Pam lives in England.
Lisanne Freese says
I have a similar knife holder (more red and green and the Rooster resembles Foghorn Leghorn more), they were pretty popular in the 40s. It goes with us from house to house, looking equally good in bungalows or bi-levels.
elaine says
WOW! I love the story of the kitchen. My parent’s had a lamp hanging from their dining room ceiling, like hers. Wonder how you keep it so new looking. My kitchen is a year old, and it looks like it could use some help.
Joan Denis says
What would be nice is, instead of older kitchens being sent to the dump, there was a place for Retro lovers to buy them, that way everybody is happy!