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HOME IN THE COUNTRY
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MAY, 2018
The largest room on the top floor, the master suite, has an incredible view of Kenoza Lake both from the bedroom and from the clawfoot tub that will adorn the bathroom.
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behind in this building but I think it was better that we decided not to buy the belongings with the house.” One thing that they did get with the house though was the original guest registration book from the building’s early boarding house days from 1921 to 1936. Walking up to the house from the road, Foster explained that the new entrance to the planned Inn/Hotel will be around the side, and the house’s original entrance will be revamped with rocking chairs to overlook the lake and steps leading to a winding pathway down to the waterfront. Construction began in January, and with heavt equipment and tools buzzing both inside and outside, Foster’s plans for the house are beginning to take form. “A dining room and kitchen is being added on to the side here,” Foster said, pointing to the construction site, “and it will have a full basement. Just above the house is a small shed where the Quirk’s kept sheep. We’re going to keep the original structure and make it into a pool bar and then have a spa added on.” Turning towards the back field, Foster explained that the
property consists of 55 acres. Fifty are on the side of the road where the house resides and 5 are across the street leading down to Kenoza Lake. Twelve small cabins, which will be a play on a hotel room, will be built in the back field so guests can have the option of staying there or in the hotel itself. Upon entering the house, an excitement and grandness kind of creeps into your skin, overwhelming your senses, imaging the stories and memories that have been told and created here for more than a hundred years. “The boarding house originally had 27 bedrooms and just two bathrooms,” smiled Foster. “Right now we’re building for 16 rooms. Almost all the rooms will have a claw foot tub, a shower, and a sink. On the first floor we’ll have a wheelchair accessible room. There will be a common area with a real mason fireplace, the reception area and entrance, etc.” For the Fosters, it’s important to keep a bit of history in the building, to have it emulate what it once was. “Everything is so new, so we’ve got to put some of the patina back into it, to keep the character of the building and what it was,” stated Foster, “and we like to keep it simple with names. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8H