The love story behind this old home

Blog Owner • Aug 05, 2016

How our St Johnsbury old home came into our lives.

Some of you may know and some of you may not, but we are renovating our home in St Johnsbury Vermont. This isn't just any old home, it's an old home with a beautiful love story. The story and history behind this home could go on for days, but the main point is how much their love story has inspired the character and hard work going into this gut job. Ed and Ruth Crane grew old together in this home, celebrating a whopping sixty-eight anniversaries together under it's roof. Sixty-eight years worth of memories. Beautiful.

Knowing each other since they were children, Ed and Ruth had spent a lot of time together growing up. When Ed deployed to Italy during WW2, Ruth maintained contact with him through writing letters to him on a regular basis. After four long years of faithful service with the Army AirCorps, Ed returned and went separate ways from the military. They were married shortly there after and made the investment of a whopping $5,000 in a larger piece of land with a quaint little home on it in 1946. This is where the real story comes in, the life they built together in this old home.

The investment they made paid off big- in way more ways than one. The farm proved wonderful for blessing them with plenty of bounty. They worked extremely hard to run a chicken farm while producing enough goods from the land to provide for their family. He knew fruits, vegetables and trees. She knew the wildlife, flowers and the weather that surrounded them. Together, they were able to find the perfect combination of skills to provide for their rapidly growing family. Over an eight year period, they had five wonderful boys. The home only has one bathroom, so I'd imagine it got rather cramped at times. With limited space, they made the best of it with Ruth's extremely organized manner. Meals were scheduled, shower time was allotted and chores were a shared responsibility. Over the years, they made minor adjustments to the house to accommodate their lives. Probably the most profound change they made(probably Ruth's favorite too) was upgrading her wood burning stove she used to cook on to an electric stove and then to a full kitchen in the 70's.

As time went on and the boys got older, they did away with the chickens. Ed and Ruth became extremely involved with their community. Ed was part of the state legislature for 17 years while Ruth volunteered at the museum. As time went on, she was hired on as a full time staff member(her organizational skills came in handy for this one.) Through the years, they accomplished many things under this old home's roof together. The greatest accomplishment in my eyes is the legacy they left to be carried on. Their family(*photo credit to Peter Crane.) Still missing a lot of family in California.

'Poppy and Grammy' moved into the Saint Johnsbury Health and Rehab clinic in 2014. Sixty. Eight... Sixty-eight beautiful, loved filled years under one old roof. <3 They lived happily together for almost two more years before Grammy sadly passed away this past May. Poppy is still doing well despite really missing Ruth. He still cracks some pretty good jokes and maintains his desire for dessert.

My husband- Paul, daughter- Kadynce and I moved into this old home in 2015 after Paul separated from the Marine Corps. We found out we were pregnant four months later with baby boy Klyde, born June 24, 2016. I'm noticing some trends... But I love the trends this family has.

We decided while we were still pregnant that the house needed some SERIOUS work. Paul's dad/ Ed's son, Stan, agreed to help Paul take on this HUGE project. It's not Stans first rodeo though, he built the home Paul and his sister Becky grew up in down in Etna, NH. Now they are taking on the house that Stan and his four brothers grew up in. This will be an ongoing documentation of the rehabilitation of this old home.

I'd love to hear your feed back on this project as well as any memories the family would like to share that took place in this old home. Feel free to share with anyone who might be interested in following the progress of this project: This Old Home.

Share

Trace Elements Photography Blog

By Dawn Crane 02 Nov, 2021
It is said that if we don't start making sacrifices to live our lives in a more sustainable manor, that we are dooming the future generations to the effects of global warming. We are already seeing the dangerous foot prints that our convenient lives are leaving in our wake. Larger storms, flooding, droughts, earth quakes, tsunamis and so many other powerful environmental catastrophes... all in an attempt for mother nature to warn us that we are tipping scales and change NEEDS to happen before it's too late. It really is a lot to take in and it's incredibly scary but change starts with compromises and influences that begin in the home and grows into a worldwide strive to do better. If you haven't been able to tell as of now, this is something that weighs heavily on me and I plan on making a difference. Starting with my business, I hope to simply encourage my clients to consider using options for their wedding day that carry a positive impact on this beautiful world we live in. There are so many different aspects to a wedding that even going eco-friendly in one area will make a difference. There are so many different ways you can help lessen your impact and I'm sure I'll add to this list as I learn more and as the years go on, but here are some things you can consider to "green-up" your wedding. Consider finding a second hand dress and/or tux rentals. Alterations are far cheaper and we are avoiding importing/creating new materials. Rent plates, silverware, glasses, etc.. There are several local companies that rent tables and all. Consider more plant based or vegetarian options for your food options. Livestock is one of the number one contributors to global warming not only through the methane released, but also because valuable forests and woodlands are cleared to make room for our domestic animals. Instead of having any florals imported, consider locally grown and sourced floral arrangements. Party favors can be used to encourage spreading eco friendly AND outdoor ideas. I've seen small trees in biodegradable containers, packages of flower seeds, bird seed, locally sourced products, etc.. When considering things like bridal robes, bags, gifts, etc., finding products made in the USA will lessen our importing weight and support our economy and growth. Instead of using graffiti, drying out flower petals or leaves and hole punching or shredding provides a great alternative with no impact or garbage to pick up. Center pieces and arbors can be bought second hand at a great rate, search around before investing in "one-time-use" products. I'm sure there are so many ideas that can be added to this list and if you have any, PLEASE let me know and I'll include it. It's so important that we start making life changes to protect this beautiful world we call home. Anything you are willing to contribute will be so appreciated by not only me, but by the earth itself. Thank you.
Wedding Photography Details
By Dawn Crane 30 Sep, 2021
Things can get really chaotic while planning your wedding day and simple things can get overlooked or missed. This wedding details checklist will help you gather your wedding details in advance so you have one less thing to worry about on the big day.
By Dawn Crane 02 Mar, 2020
When a wedding photographer arrives at a location or venue, they should be confident in where they choose to take your pictures and understand why they chose that location. Capturing consistent and beautiful wedding photography is possible with a perfect understanding of NATURAL light.
By Dawn Crane 19 Feb, 2020
Having a second photographer at your wedding has many advantages that not everyone realizes. Here are some of the top benefits I've concluded while having a secondary wedding photographer by my side.
By Dawn Crane 28 Jan, 2020
Family formals are not the most exciting aspect of a wedding day but they are important. This is Trace Elements Photography's approach to creating these lists to ensure a fast and smooth transition of family and friends during your wedding day formals.
By Dawn Crane 28 Aug, 2019
Meg and Ben celebrated at Blissful Dragon Farm in Waterford, Vermont for their wedding. This is their Romantic and Rustic New England wedding documented in photography.
By Dawn Crane 27 Jul, 2019
There are several things that your wedding photographer wants to know and wants you to know that will help your wedding day pictures go smoothly, here is some helpful information for both the photographer and the couple getting married.
By Dawn Crane 10 Jul, 2019
Phelan & Yvette were married at Ragged Mountain Resort in Danbury, NH, this is the photography from their beautiful New Hampshire wedding.
By Dawn Crane 13 Jun, 2019
Wedding photography tips that you don't always think about on your wedding day that will help contribute to capturing great images.
By Dawn Crane 03 May, 2019
The struggle of our men and women returning home from war is one that is claiming lives. What they endure would drive the sanest of minds to dark places.
More Posts
Share by: