I had the pleasure to meet this week with the Town Historian of North Salem, Susan J. Thompson. What prompted that meeting was that a friend of mine owns a home that had a historical designation. It is The Samuel Wallace Home. When she learned that I did these articles she suggested her home as a subject!

Before meeting, Susan Thompson sent over the following information:

“The Samuel Wallace house, as you no doubt know, is a Town of North Salem Historic Landmark. Samuel was a grandson of James Wallace, one of the 1715 purchasers of land from the Indians in the stretch of land known as the Oblong. (originally in Ridgefield, then New York in 1731). Sam was a Loyalist but somehow managed to hold onto his property. He married Rachel Morehouse in 1777. Their house was built after the Revolution probably around 1790.”

The family was from Scotland and owned a large tract of land in North Salem where they lived and worked on contiguous properties for many years. What I also learned was that the c. 1790, a home could not truly be called a colonial, since it was built after the Revolution. It was built in the saltbox design that evolved in colonial New England: it has a long, pitched roof that slopes down to the back and has just one story in the back. The front entry is Federalist in design. Susan Thompson later shared this delicious morsel of historic trivia with me: “New Englanders created the Saltbox to outwit Queen Anne, who taxed buildings that were greater than one story. Since the rear roof descended to a single story, saltboxes were exempt from the tax!”

Loyalists were indeed routed out of the their homes and away from their properties by The Patriots. Samuel Wallace had relatives that sought refuge in Nova Scotia. Ms. Thompson had a wealth of information on the family - including the family tree and a book on the Wallace Family. Their coat of arms has the Latin “Pro Libertate” on its crest. For Liberty.

If you want to have your home considered for Historical Designation/Make Changes to such a Property in North Salem one would go to:

NorthSalemNY.org/historic-preservation/historic-preservation-home where it states the following:

“The Historic Preservation Commission is the administrative and advisory board for the Town’s Landmark and Historic Preservation and Historic Road Laws. The eight-member Commission works with property owners to research and recommend houses, barns, stone structures, historic sites and roads for designation as Town of North Salem Historic Landmarks. The Commission issues Certificates of Appropriateness for proposed changes to designated landmarks and consults with other boards and individual residents on the use and protection of historic properties and sites.”

Ms. Thompson told us that the Historic Preservation Commission is very reasonable and understanding and works with owners to approve Certificates of Appropriateness for changes such as paint colors, roof materials, window and door design. She said no reasonable request has been turned down. Owning a landmark is a privilege, not a burden.

To start the process, one must fill out an “Application of Appropriateness.” I like that - the alliteration and the Colonial style! Then if your property is designated and you want to add an addition or make changes:

“…you will need to apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness (CofA) for any changes that affect the exterior appearance of the structure (such things as changes in windows, doors, lights, color or surface material). There are no other restrictions. The expertise of the Commission members as well as other preservation professionals is available to assist the property owner. The Commission has worked successfully with numerous property owners seeking to alter or expand their properties.”

Under the guardianship of my friend, the Samuel Wallace House is a spectacular example of living with the best of both worlds. Original wood beams are in evidence on both floors. The original fireplace complete with the fireplace “crane” - the bracket which would swing in and out of the fireplace with a Dutch Oven (covered pot) attached is still in the original front parlor of the home.

What was added on in 1994 in compliance with the Commission by the former owners was a family room with a massive stone fireplace off the kitchen with French Doors out to a slate patio and a Master Bedroom suite above. The Master Bedroom has a stone fireplace and the room has the ambiance of a country inn. This is a perfect example as to how the Commission understood the needs of a Modern Family. My friends then totally renovated the home with the utmost of taste and expertise.

The kitchen, complete with copper farm style sink and Dutch door out to the gardens is beautifully appointed in true Country Style. The Dutch Door (half door) allows a view of the property to the garden gate. The whimsical use of open chicken wire fencing in the open panels of the cabinets emphasizes the country flair. The wood floors throughout the home are a hand scraped hickory from Amish country.

The pool/spa and waterfall in the back are in keeping with the stone walls which surround the property and do not overcome the land but enhance it. Pergolas and latticed doors lead to various sections of the property - especially the “Secret Garden” door which leads to views overlooking the rushing Titicus River below. Outbuildings also dot the property - one is a very wonderful guest house. The other would be a great home office or studio.

According to the beautiful book that Susan Thompson gave us, Historic Landmarks of The Town of North Salem, a Miss Margaret Burt of Brooklyn Heights owned this property as her country home for over 50 years.

Just minutes from 684 or Rt 84 and just over an hour from NYC with Metro North trains! Come to North Salem and enjoy your own Colonial Williamsburg!

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom