The B. F. Kerr House is a 2-story, brick Queen Anne Style residence, which is currently dential section, overlooking the village of Grand Rapids, about two blocks south of the bargeboard , which is simply pierced by small round holes, with a trefoil cut out at the there is a wide, pediment-shaped board with incised decoration at the gable base. The southern roof gable is covered with lap slates, which surround a central window (originally from the rear hipped reofs, while a semi-lunar fan rises like an eyebrow window over the There is a central tower over the main entrance, capped by twin, tin finials. The bay with a small, non-functional, porch, with wooden knobs at either end.
Under this bay first story windows feature red plaster, scored with diagonal lines of white, immediately south side porch floor had to be rebuilt, as it had been removed, leaving the posts hang- which support the broad, slate covered, porch roofs. There is a band of carved circular CONDITION EXCELLENT UNALTERED business district. DETERIORATED RUINS currently being exactly reproduced, including the round spheres at the ends of each railing. ornaments around the center of each post. XGOOD southern side porch.
CHECK ONE The south side elevation contains a first story,3-sided bay, which originally featured Each porch also was lined with rows of turned spindles, acting as railings (many of which corbelling just below their caps; a carved stone fan is set into the southern chimney just There are porches on all sides of the residence, and each feature bowed posts unique scrolled wooden ornaments applied to the face in stylized floral motifs - small turned second story windows, and was removed during the course of the house's history.It is The roof line is typically:irregular and is broken by numerous gables and a central spindles rest directly beneath the gable face.
on the facade and south side elevations have scrolled stone pediment-like drips above.All tower has four extremely steeply.pitched sides covered with angular slates, and features The unique bowed porch posts rest on molded bases and are topped by heavy brackets above the sash, but below any lintels. hip. All roof ridges are topped by pointed terra cotta caps. The brick chimneys bulge with faces are slate, in various patterns. Downspouts are a foot above the eaves, affixed to the roof slates. The three roof gables are each handled differently, except for a uniform lower edges. The front gable is half-timbered with curvilinear boards over diagonal slats; multi-paned) flanked by wide volute-like molding. The northern roof gable is simply slate ing in mid-air. The rear porch was enclosed, but has been opened, as it was originally. spaces below the porches.
Broad steps, also being restored, rise to porch levels. UNEXPOSED Two multi-paned windows jut, like dormers, All second story windows have flush, carved stone lintels, whereas first story windows This porch sat below a tripartite group of an ornamental spindled porch on its roof.T undergoing a complete restoration/renovation.It is situated on a small bluff in the resi- to this house. Some of the posts are being reproduced to replace rotted ones; the entire above the roof line;bevelled stone side pieces decorate the other chimneys.All roof sur- had tobe re-turned on lathes).Double rowed panels of 1ike spindles covered the open Form No. 10-300a (Hev.
10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM Kerr, Benjamin F., House, Grand Rapids, Wood County, Ohio CONTINUATION SHEET Interior details feature beautiful hardwoods, stained glass, original hardware, and in the foyer, and is especially visible in the delicate ribbed spindles and large newel doors lead to the front parlor, and are faced with cherry wood on the parlor side. In- a mirror, and individualized ceramic tiles, which surround the punctated hearth grate. an original marble sink and galvanized copper bathtub surrounded by a wooden platform. The upstairs front bedroom contains the only second floor fireplace, which is bathroom originally included a bathtub, sink, and lavatory, however the bathtub original brass faucets. bathroom, added, making all floors of the building functional.
A smooth cut, bevelled stone water table runs around the entire building. The 24 interior set each have an etched and frosted glass panel with floral motif.All door DATE ENTERED health retreat concept.Similarly, the basement stone walls have been sealed and painted, Servants quarters and the attic are reached from the second floor hall or the the brick and wood cleaned, new concrete floors poured, and a kitchen, whirlpools, sauna, fireplaces.The main foyer is entered through two sets of heavy oak double-doors.The and wood moldings flank the recently restored leaded and stained glass window above the is being replaced by period reproduction paper.
hardware in the house is brass and incised.All first and second floor rooms can be opened up to allow for a larger bath area, and includes showers and marble sinks and windows with smooth stone lintels.A sunken cellar entrance exists at the rear. adjacent to the dining room and the sitting room leads toa rear bathroom,which has FOR NPS USE ONLY NOV 1 5 1979 The sitting room offers an intricate cherry fireplace with delicate floral panals, storage, has been wallboarded and painted, and a bathroom created, for use with the entered from the foyer without entering any of the other rooms. White oak predominates Original wallpaper existed in most rooms, but due to its age, and soiled condition and lavatroy had been removed.
An unused storage area behind this bathroom has been RECEIVED similar to those on the main floor, including similar ceramic tiles.The upstairs cherry fireplace with square ceramic leaf tiles surrounding the hearth.Chimney flues inch thick foundation is rock faced random ashlar limestone, and is pierced by rectangular AREAS OF
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