Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-08
ANTIQUE SEEKERS
ENTER NEW FIELD
Doors, Panels and Other
Parts of Old Houses Are Now
Much Sought After.

By the Associated Press.
NEW HAVEN. Conn, August T.
The quest for antiques has left
thriving business in its wake, one in
which the property owner and sal
wager have found a mutual profit.
Particularly in this section. one of
the Oldest in the United States,
being placed on the market valued
principally for their aged carpentry.
Wreckers have found new revenues
by sale or careful handling Of houses
wanted for future use in a modern
home or office.
Take Up Carpentry.
The drift Of souvenir hunting for
antique doors. staircases, window
easements, cupbOardS and room pan
cling has reached its present stage
due to scarcity of real antiques in
furniture and art of unQuestioned age
and origin, these people believe. And
many persons. disappointed in failure
to obtain old furniture or objects for
their homes. are going in for car
pentry which shows combined artistic
design. quality and age.
The bits which salvagers tear out
of old structures are being incor-
porated into the finish Of a den.
library or dining room in the modern
home. Ceiling beams are in good de
mand. and architects have to solve
the problems of tremendously work
ing interior finish beams. paneling or
staircase into a modern arrangement
Of Il floor
Aged Mansions Disappear.
Really old houses built by men who
put art into their work as well as age
resisting woods are becoming scarce
in Connecticut This has been strik-
ingly brought TO notice as the many
towns and country churches have cele
brated anniversaries Of 100 to 200
wears Of existence. Former towns
folks and members of families de-
seconded from the settlers have re-
turned. Many Of them have sought to
take back home souvenirs Of colonial
days. and there being no furniture,
pewter. or old silver, they have turned
to old houses for their relics.
More old houses built in the zoos
have been torn down than in any pre-
vious year. If not wrecked, they have
been stripped of choice sections Of in
terror. Prices paid for material re-
moved frequently has been more than
Old Pieces i'm New Homes.
In Ansonia, an old house in which
lived the Rev. Mr.. Mansfield, first
priest ordained by the Episcopal
Bishop of Connecticut, has been bought
by a group Of Poles. Some one knew
that the woodwork in it was very old
and good, and a neighborhood sub
scription resulted in the building be-
ing purchased. moved to new site,
restored and used as museum for
revolutionary period relics.
At Yale University library are the
doors Of the Rev. DR.. Russelfs house
in Branford. through which the
founders Of Yale assembled in 1701-2
TO place on the study table of their
host an Offering Of books toward the
founding of a college. These doors,
hanging on their original strap hinges,
are preserved as relics from the earli-
est building which had anything to
do with the founding of Yale.
The staircase, doors, paneling.
china closet and the wood trim of the
Old North Meeting House, forerunner
Of the present United Church on New
Haven Green, have been stored by
the parish for use at some future time.
In North Branford. where land is be-
ing cleared for a great reservoir, there
was an old mansion. Seekers after
woodwork in that house bid for it.
and some Of It eventually may go 10
the Yale Art School.