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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (July 5, 1972)
PAGE 4 The little yellow house I t! it f - i SUMMER NEBRASKAN 15 , ... it r 1 J I I f 1 a remnant of the post 551 """" ' jry t j ; 1 :i -A-j HE: p h n if;V3fcsgsr:, i::, jr tr r I 1 Story and Photos by Jean Necley NU School of Journalism Sitting like an oasis in a bust ling city campus, the little yellow house at 700 N. 16th St. is the oldest structure at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The house was erected in 1877 for the Rev. lilisha M. Lewis, a "home, missionary" of the Presbyterian Church. For nearly 60 years it was owned by the family of Constance Syford until it was willed to the Nwbraska State Historical Society upon her death in IV6S, 'I he house currently is inhabited by two Historical Society caretakers to decrease the possibility of vandalism, but eventually, the house will be restored as a public museum exhibiting life in the 1880s. According to Marvin Kivitt, Historical Society director, most of the exterior restoration has been completed. 'The entire tinned roof had to be replaced," he said, "and believe me, it cot more than it looks." The difficulty was in finding a craftsman who could reconstruct the decorative French Second F.mpire style roof. An elderly craftsman in Lincoln finally was found to complete the work, Technological changes have added plumbing, electricity and heating, but the house has retained remnant of the past, like the old gas jets still on I he walls A barn with a hayloft and manger still stands behind the house, liut the original doors were destroyed to accommodate cars and still need to be restored. Alone time the family cow was kept there. Outside the back door is a small woodshed common to houses of the period. Handily near the kitchen, the shed stored fuel necessary or cooking and heating. The house represents the home of an average income family of the 1880s. "Generally only elegant homes are preserved foi public display," Kivitt said, "so we believe it has historical value in this respect." I i ' .Ma The old barn door, top left, if much narrower than most modern doori. Sandoz Hall looms in the background. Top center, some of the original furniture of the house, like this piano, mixes with newer applicancet of its caretaker tenants. Top right, indoor plumbing was not included when the house was built, and facilities still are not new. The little yellow house, above, stands as a remnant of French Second Empire style architecture. In the barn, left, there's a stark contrast between the motorcycle owned by one of the house's current inhabitants and a carriage stored there by the Historical Society. WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1972 i mm, Tl t i ,,4
