History

The Montgomery Mansion, or “Gingerbread House” was built in 1879 with completion in 1880 by Robert Porter, an owner of the local lumber yard as a gift for his fiancé prior to their pending marriage.  The ornate facade was created to showcase the exterior options which could be added to the exterior of other homes. Coincidentally, the “gingerbread” could be conveniently purchased from Mr. Porter at his lumber yard.  The original exterior was painted mustard yellow. This color was a frequent choice selected to help hide the discoloration of the paint caused by the pollution from the numerous mills in the area. Unfortunately, Mr. Porter’s fiancé died prior to the wedding.

In the early 1900s, the house was sold to John Nelson Montgomery, Sr., hence the name “Montgomery Mansion”.  John Nelson Montgomery, Jr. married Grace Clarke in the early 1900s after meeting each other in a “community dance."  Having moved into the Montgomery mansion with John‘s parents soon after their wedding, Grace continued to reside in the house until her death in the early 1970s.  They also had the property registered as a Historic Landmark.  This action later saved the house from destruction. Mrs. Montgomery donated the house to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church next door.  The church used the house as an addition to their church.  In the early 1990s, the church wanted to build an extensive building on the site, but since it would involve the demolition or moving of the house, many people in the church, community and historical society protested so loudly that the plans were altered with the addition to the church being built behind the church instead of along side.

The property was then purchased by the McAuliffe's in the early 1990s.  They lived here, raising their family until 2005.  Against the wishes of the localhistoric society, Kathy decided to change the exterior color (then white) to create a Victorian “Painted Lady.” The exterior was stripped to bare wood.  The appropriate repairs were made with the painting of the exterior completed over several years.  The fish scale slate shingles, used to replace ordinary asphalt shingles, were added during the renovation. They were installed as currently seen on the top floor.  The new roof, to the amazement of the local residents, was copper.

Shirley and Butch Smith are the current owners of the property.  All walls, plumbing, electric and wall finishes are new.  The floors have been sanded, but not replaced.

The restoration continues under the guidance of Shirley and Butch Smith.