Barnett–Criss House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Barnett–Criss House
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The Barnett Criss House on Best Road outside of New Concord, Ohio
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | SW of Cambridge off U.S. 22, Cambridge, Ohio |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1875 |
| Architect | John & Charles Halstead |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002070 |
| Added to NRHP | December 8, 1978 |
The Barnett–Criss House is a special home built in the Italianate style. This type of architecture was popular in the 1800s. The house is located on the old National Road, a few miles east of New Concord, Ohio. It was added to the important National Register of Historic Places on December 8, 1978. This means it's a historic place worth protecting.
Contents
History of the Barnett–Criss House
Who Built This Historic Home?
The Barnett–Criss House was built in 1875. A man named Oliver Barnett had it constructed. He was born in Westland Township. Oliver became a very successful farmer in the area. He had served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he and his wife decided to build this impressive house.
Building the House and New Owners
Oliver and his wife hired builders from Pittsburgh to construct their home. They lived in the house for about fifteen years. Later, they sold the property to Elijah and Carrie Criss. The Crisses were another well-known farming couple in the area.
Exploring the Outside of the House
What Does the House Look Like?
The Barnett–Criss House is shaped like a rectangle. It sits on a strong sandstone basement. The main part of the house is covered with wooden siding. A special stone layer, called a water table, separates the house from its basement.
Front Porch and Windows
The front of the house has a welcoming porch. This porch has thin posts that stand on wide bases. These posts are decorated with fancy arches. The large double front doors have a small window above them. This window is called a transom window. On each side of the porch, you'll see a bay window that sticks out from the house.
The Tower and Roof
The second floor of the house has a tall central tower. This tower features a decorative double window. Above it, there's a round window, like a ship's porthole. The tower's roof is gabled, meaning it has two sloping sides. It's decorated with fancy brackets and a special border called an entablature. On either side of the tower, there are more windows. The main roof of the house slopes down. Two brick chimneys stick out from each end of the roof.
Side Porch Changes
The side of the house once had an open porch. There was even a water pump there. Around the year 1900, this open porch was covered. It was turned into a sunny room, which is now called a sunroom.
Inside the Barnett–Criss House
The Main Entrance and Parlor
When you enter the house, you step into a central hall. A staircase here leads up to the bedrooms on the second floor. To the left of the hall is the parlor. This room has an original brass gas chandelier. It even has springs and a pulley to make it easier to clean. A beautiful fireplace with carved wooden panels adds a fancy touch to the room.
Kitchen and Dining Room Features
The parlor used to open onto another open porch. This porch was later covered and divided. It became a study and a bathroom. This area connects to the large kitchen. The kitchen has a big cooking fireplace on its outside wall. To the right of the fireplace is a food pantry. People say this pantry was designed by an expert. It could keep food cool all the time. The kitchen connects to the central hall, the dining room, or the sunporch.
The dining room also has a fireplace, much like the one in the parlor. The bay window in the dining room was a special spot. It was often used as a tea area. All the doors throughout the house are framed with oak wood. They have frosted windows that can be opened with a lever. The doors also have decorative iron hinges, adding to the house's historic charm.
