Q&A: Thomas Home
Q: When did you purchase your home?
A: We inherited the home over a period of years with full transfer about 2006. The house has been in the family since it was built in 1939-1940. We moved in June 2007.
Q: What period is your home?
A: The house is mid-twentieth century cottage style architecture with prominent front chimney, sloping uneven roof, cross gabled, asymmetrical design, upstairs rooms with sloping ceilings.
Q: When was it built?
A: Construction was started in October 1939; it was occupied in June 1940.
Q: What struck you about that the home, that you knew you had to have it?
A: We had long expected to move back to Ft. Thomas and live in this old family house because of its family connections, its history, and its location on a quiet and beautiful street.
Q: What are you most proud of that you have done w/your home?
A: Nothing stands above another; we are pleased with all the exterior work including stucco replacing upper level wood siding, the full landscaping of front, back and side yards and the painting that brought out all the interesting architectural features. Historically, it had been white with blue shutters. We added the "Spirit House" this year as a getaway for relaxation.
Q: What is the abbreviated history of your home?
A: The Barrett subdivision was a project of my grandfather, Claude Walden Johnson, and Leslie Gardner. They converted 27 acres into Barrett Drive and Walden Lane. Our house was the third or fourth house built. It has been in the family since then and pretty much retains its original footprint.
Q: What do you hope that tourists will appreciate about your home?
A: Guests will appreciate the openness of the living room with its south facing bay window and floor to ceiling double hung windows in the front. They will also appreciate the arrangements and privacy of the sleeping areas with two bedrooms on the first floor and full bath and the very private two bedrooms upstairs with a full and half bath. They will enjoy the comfortable and spacious family room (the only addition to the original house) with a bay window overlooking the woods and plenty of light at all times of the day. If they think about the deck, they will appreciate how it is enclosed on three sides for privacy and southern exposure. Perhaps of most interest will be the Thai-style "Spirit House" built on large log stilts and entirely of cedar with large overhangs and a metal roof.
Q: Why is it important for historic homes to be preserved?
A: Homes characterize a town and reflect its history. Fort Thomas has a wide range of interesting and individual single-family homes that help retain the city's cultural integrity.
Q: Why/how did you choose Ft. Thomas to be your home?
A: Old roots, nice homes, quiet streets, peaceful town, friendly people and proximity to Cincinnati.
Q: Do you have any other interesting stories/historical facts associated with your home?
A: The house was the scene of the area's worst mass murder, well maybe that's not true. But it has been the scene of many great parties over its many years with singing and general revelry.
Q: Have you done any major renovations to your home?
A: We did major renovations before we moved into the house in 2007. They took about two years. They were forced by a water disaster that occurred while it was unoccupied for several months. But with the help of a replacement insurance policy, we restored the house to its original condition with hardwood floors throughout, new double hung windows, actual plaster interior walls, all new kitchen, remodeled main floor bathroom, all new wiring and duct work, stucco exterior over original upper level wood siding. Our contractor was Great Oak Construction and they did an outstanding job with careful craftsmanship. Local architect Ashli Slawter worked with us to create many of the enhancements including kitchen, bathroom, windows and stucco. The landscaping on all sides of the house and adjacent yard was expertly done by Brentwood Landscape and Design under the scrutiny of Bob Petracco. Interior designer Lea Immell, who is currently living in Geneva, Switzerland with her family, supervised much of the interior work and selected the exterior color scheme. Finally, J. R.. Stull was the general contractor for the construction of the Spirit House, finished in 2009, using a design interpreted from our concept and rendered into plans by Ashli Slawter.
Q: Are there any local legends about your home regarding ghosts or spirits? Have you ever experienced anything? It is typical that with older homes, this is a common occurrence and w/the tour so close to Halloween, we’d like to add this feature to our section and share your stories.
A: There is an old family essence that pervades the house but we chased all the ghosts and spirits into the woods. That's why we built the "Spirit House", a place for spirits of the land to reside after being pushed from their habitation.
-Owners Bert and Diane Thomas
28 Barret Drive
