Section # 3 Deb’s house &
crosswalk over Easton Rd.
Hi my name is Tamara. I’m an illustration major and this is my third year at Arcadia University. For this part of the tour, let’s check out Deb and Steve’s house! Before we start, I want to kindly remind you to not disturb them and to be respectful.
At the intersection of Lynwood Avenue and Waverly Road, you will find a beautiful white little house on the corner with delightful red doors. This is the home of Deb and Steve. They moved here in 1989 and since then, researching the history of this house has become one of their ongoing projects. The initial date of when this house was built is still unclear. Deb told us that this historical house started as a one-room building, which is the main structure we see here. Look up, on the second floor: can you see the two peaked windows? This simple yet unique decoration is part of the Gothic Revival Movement. This architectural style reflects the public's taste for buildings inspired by medieval design. It was popular in American cottage residences from the mid to late 1800s. Turn left on the corner and you are now on West Waverly Road. Maybe you can hear the songs of the wind chimes hanging from the porch. There is the front door. In the 1920s, the owner at that time extended the house by adding a kitchen, 2 bedrooms, and a stairwell. There’s the middle of the house behind the flower beds.
Before retirement, Deb was a science teacher. She now spends a lot of her time in the garden, planting, weeding, and picking up spiky balls that fall from the Sweet Gum tree in front of her house, where you might be standing right now. While taking walks, she pays attention to interesting-looking rocks, and slowly adds them to her collection. Do you see any unique rocks near the flower beds? They are all over the garden. In 2010, Deb and Steve added their own contributions to their home: a garage and a garden room, which you can see on the right side of the house. Deb calls the garden room “the mudroom,” where she can comfortably walk in without worrying about taking off her muddy garden shoes. Alongside the little creek next to the house, there was a well on the side of the garage. Because of environmental concerns, it still says on the deed that they cannot run a tannery on this property. Thankfully Deb and Steve never thought about starting a business which turns animal skins into leather!
Heading east, let’s walk down West Waverly road.
Look at the trees on both sides of the street. They are so tall, so big. Do you know what kind of trees they are? For many of us, they remain anonymous and almost unnoticeable. Have you ever thought that houses are pretty much like those trees? They are strong, durable, lively, slowly growing and evolving with their residents. Maybe those birds or squirrels are also curious about the previous residents of their tree, and have figured out their own way to research the history of it. Maybe their nests were inspired by their predecessors.
After passing three blocks, you will need to cross Easton Road to E. Waverly Road. Remember to push the crosswalk button. Be patient, you need to wait for the traffic lights to change. Examine the mesmerizing crosswalk pattern underneath your feet. Imagine a set of steps, and when the crosswalk alarm chirps, use it as beats. It’s your time to start this intersection square dance walk. One, two, three; two, two, three. Don’t forget to smile, and turn your head gracefully when looking out at your audience in traffic.
Keep on walking, or if you would rather, you can continue practicing your dance steps when moving along East Waverly Road. Continue until you see a sign for the Free library.
At the intersection of Lynwood Avenue and Waverly Road, you will find a beautiful white little house on the corner with delightful red doors. This is the home of Deb and Steve. They moved here in 1989 and since then, researching the history of this house has become one of their ongoing projects. The initial date of when this house was built is still unclear. Deb told us that this historical house started as a one-room building, which is the main structure we see here. Look up, on the second floor: can you see the two peaked windows? This simple yet unique decoration is part of the Gothic Revival Movement. This architectural style reflects the public's taste for buildings inspired by medieval design. It was popular in American cottage residences from the mid to late 1800s. Turn left on the corner and you are now on West Waverly Road. Maybe you can hear the songs of the wind chimes hanging from the porch. There is the front door. In the 1920s, the owner at that time extended the house by adding a kitchen, 2 bedrooms, and a stairwell. There’s the middle of the house behind the flower beds.
Before retirement, Deb was a science teacher. She now spends a lot of her time in the garden, planting, weeding, and picking up spiky balls that fall from the Sweet Gum tree in front of her house, where you might be standing right now. While taking walks, she pays attention to interesting-looking rocks, and slowly adds them to her collection. Do you see any unique rocks near the flower beds? They are all over the garden. In 2010, Deb and Steve added their own contributions to their home: a garage and a garden room, which you can see on the right side of the house. Deb calls the garden room “the mudroom,” where she can comfortably walk in without worrying about taking off her muddy garden shoes. Alongside the little creek next to the house, there was a well on the side of the garage. Because of environmental concerns, it still says on the deed that they cannot run a tannery on this property. Thankfully Deb and Steve never thought about starting a business which turns animal skins into leather!
Heading east, let’s walk down West Waverly road.
Look at the trees on both sides of the street. They are so tall, so big. Do you know what kind of trees they are? For many of us, they remain anonymous and almost unnoticeable. Have you ever thought that houses are pretty much like those trees? They are strong, durable, lively, slowly growing and evolving with their residents. Maybe those birds or squirrels are also curious about the previous residents of their tree, and have figured out their own way to research the history of it. Maybe their nests were inspired by their predecessors.
After passing three blocks, you will need to cross Easton Road to E. Waverly Road. Remember to push the crosswalk button. Be patient, you need to wait for the traffic lights to change. Examine the mesmerizing crosswalk pattern underneath your feet. Imagine a set of steps, and when the crosswalk alarm chirps, use it as beats. It’s your time to start this intersection square dance walk. One, two, three; two, two, three. Don’t forget to smile, and turn your head gracefully when looking out at your audience in traffic.
Keep on walking, or if you would rather, you can continue practicing your dance steps when moving along East Waverly Road. Continue until you see a sign for the Free library.