Introduction

This is the story of the Mud House at 1000 Whalen Rd in Penfield and of its reconstruction in 1981. Since very little is known of the history of the house itself the focus will - and must - be on the revelations the house makes to us of its history as we work on it day after day.

This work is the work of love and skill and perseverance and luck. We have saved this building - conceived in the seventeenth century, built in the eighteenth century, enjoyed in the nineteenth, restored twice in the twentieth, and hopefully thereby set up for the twenty-first century and beyond. Any house might last this long, but clearly this house has more than luck and good tenders going for it. It has survived because – despite appearances – it is a strong and tough structure for this environment. It is a winner and a survivor. We probably should have studied and preserved it more over the decades but it has survived nonetheless.

I can tell you in truth there were days when I nearly gave up hope of fixing it. I even hired an architect who billed me a lofty sum just to inform me that the house “couldn’t be saved.” He was lucky to escape injury before he retreated in his car, and, I suppose, his visit did as much as anyone to spur me on.

I have sweat hard over this house, suffered pain and injury, lost blood and courage, fought in courts and public meetings to save this structure from stupid - though well intentioned help. I have stood by while literally thousands of people have come to admire it.

The house has become a part of me - even if I leave it someday by chance or design, it can never leave me. This house has made itself a pivot point in my career as a rehabber, writer, realtor, and more. I have seen here my family grow and change, my parents pass on, and a host of friends and relatives pass through its portals.

It is so well designed for a small family I have been hard put to conceive of a better design - more efficient or alluring in its style or form. This is a great deal to say about a simple peasant structure, but then it is my home.