Historic Kingston homes open for golden anniversary

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

An autumn tea and tour of Kingston’s heritage homes is the latest event being held in celebration of the village’s 50th anniversary.

Since June 1, the community has celebrated its golden milestone with a Canada Post stamp cancellation, a tree planting, a concert in Centennial Park and by hosting the 2007 Apple Blossom Festival princess tea.

October 13, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Kingston’s past comes into focus: six heritage homes in and around the village will open their doors to visitors. “It’s a way to promote acknowledgement of our past,” says 50th anniversary committee member Muriel Craig. All six homes on the afternoon tour have “unique” and “well preserved” features tour-goers will find fascinating.

One of the oldest homes is located on Main Street. Built in the late 1880s by Francis Eugene Palmer, it is now owned by his granddaughter, Joan MacDonald. A skilled carpenter, Palmer was the first station agent for the Windsor-Annapolis Railway, served as a notary public and eventually became commissioner of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. Many of the rooms remain unchanged: original wallpaper and ceilings have been preserved.

The Bridge Street home of Abbie and Doug Beaman, built circa 1913, was designed and constructed by local millwright Atwood Shay. It remained in the Shay family until 1974, when it was purchased by the Beamans. They have upgraded all services, replaced windows and completely renovated the bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen - while still maintaining the home's character.

Another 20th Century property is the Main Street home of Donna and Mark Durland. Built 70 years ago, it was home to two generations of the C.C. Cleveland family - including Katherine Cleveland, Queen Annapolisa 2007. Since the Durlands bought the property in 1991, they have renovated the barn and converted it into an antique shop and studio. The property also features a Victorian garden maze.

Trisha and Tony Cochrane’s home, also located on Main Street, was built in 1949 for the family of Howard Marshall, a prominent business and community leader. Several pieces of original furniture remain, as well as Marshall’s curling stones. One special feature of the renovated home is the exterior landscaping, designed by Nicholas Jankov of Truro.

Two North Kingston properties are featured: the Brooklyn Street Mack Keddy House, built about 1885 by Abraham Baker. Other families who have resided in this home were the Murray Powers, Banford Freemans and Chester Careys. For many years, it was Alice (Downie) and Mack Keddy’s home; now their daughter, Norma, and her husband, Dave, live there.

The Neily home on Highway 221 in North Kingston is also on the tour. Built by Whitfield Neily in the late 1800s, the home has been in the family since. The dining room is finished in 48-inch embossed metallic sheathing and the design on the ceiling is in 12-inch squares. Neily was the local undertaker and the present living room was used as the funeral parlour. An original record book of the business will be on display.

The $10 tour includes a map and guide book of the homes, all of which will have scarecrows and pumpkins marking the driveways making them easy to spot. Tour guests are asked to bring slippers and are advised cameras and smoking will not be permitted. They are also invited to stop by Pine Ridge Middle School between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., where a complimentary afternoon tea will be served by students.

Tickets may be purchased at the Valley Drug Mart and the village office in Kingston. Proceeds will benefit Pine Ridge Middle School’s music program. For information, call 765-2800.