Tales from the Sanborn

by Nancy Kilker

As restoration continues on the Sanborn House, new discoveries are made that are fun to share. This discovery was made when Christopher Potts, president of Duffy Floors in Medford was evaluating the condition of the floors on the second floor. He told us the following:

The floor in the small office (formerly sewing room) is made of pine, but not ordinary pine. Based on the length and uniformity of the planks, it was originally milled from trees that were over 100 years old at the time, possibly a mill set up on the premises to cut the wood for the floors. All the boards in the room are one length – the length of the room – and milled from the center of the trees. This wood is no longer available, except from reclamation or salvage of trees that have been buried in water for a long time (over 100 years) and preserved by cold water. This wood is very difficult to find and very expensive to replace. Fortunately the floor is in great condition.

Mr. Potts was thrilled to see this floor since it is not often that such work can be found any longer and added that this floor is much more valuable that any on the first floor. He also enjoyed being in the Sanborn House again as his mother, Shirley Potts worked for the School Department when it was located in the Sanborn House. (January 2009)