The property where Woodburn stands today was originally owned by George Fields, but the purchase year is unclear but is shown on old maps drawn in 1851. His daughter, Augusta Fields purchased it from him in 1883. She was married to John Holmes in the Woodburn parlor about 1885. The assumption is that the “Woodburn” home was built in that time period between Augusta’s land purchase and their marriage.
George Fields was injured in the Battle of Antietam in 1862 and was brought home to Troy by his then 11-year old daughter, Augusta, who rode the train alone from Troy to Washington, D.C. George Fields died in 1919 due to his increasing health decline from a gunshot wound to his arm during the Civil War battles and exposure at the Battle of Chancellorsville, and heart disease. It is thought that because of her experiences with the wounded, she went on to study at the Women’s Medical College of the New York Infirmary for Women in 1880 and received her medical diploma three years later.
Dr. Augusta Holmes married John Holmes, a widower with two little girls, Abby and Margaret. Augusta and John then had two children of their own, John (Jack) Field Holmes and Hazel August Holmes. Dr. Augusta practiced medicine in Brooklyn, but came to Woodburn for four months every summer and planted a garden. She would see local patients in the Woodburn library where many of her medical books still remain. The medicine cabinet built into the wall remains there today.
When Woodburn was built, Augusta had indoor plumbing installed on the ground floor, the first indoor plumbing on the mountain. An upstairs bathroom was added in the 1930s. A dam was built in the creek across the road which was used to generate electricity for the house. The ruins of the dam are still visible. As children, Abby remembers they often spent hot summer days swimming in the creek especially when their fathers were away during World War II.
Because they were teachers, Abby, Margaret, and Hazel continued to visit Woodburn each summer. Their brother, John (Jack) Holmes married Mary Dewey. Their daughter, Abby Holmes, was born in 1918. She was brought to August on the mountain at two months old and continued this tradition every summer. Abby Holmes and Tom Potter were married in 1941, the parents of Abby Werlock, Jennifer, Dewey, Amy, Meg, and Tim.
During the years that followed while her father was serving his country, the families moved away from New York City and Armenia Mountain, so Woodburn was used very little and fell into disrepair. A disastrous roof leak occurred during the family’s two year stay in Thailand in 1958. Upon Abby and Jim Werlock’s return in 1960, they found extensive damage to all but three rooms and, more importantly, the foundation was in a poor state. The 1970s brought a series of robberies that nearly cleaned the house of everything but the heaviest Victorian furniture.
Abby and her husband, Jim, often made weekend treks from Washington, D.C. to Woodburn. Soon after arriving at Woodburn in 1981, an entire wall collapsed onto the cellar stairs, making the cellar and water pump unreachable. A family conference was held and it was decided the house should be saved. Professionals were hired to rebuild parts of the foundation and walls, but the majority of the interior work including sheet rocking, plastering, and wall papering, was completed by family members. Every summer each of the rooms was restored at a rate of one per year with the last paper hanging in the front hall completed in 1998—17 years after starting the restoration process.
After the presentation, Abby and sisters, Jennifer and Dewey, gave tours and shared stories of each room in the house. This was a delightful, informative way to end our Thursday Study Club meetings for the summer. The members gave the family a round of applause and expressed their appreciation for welcoming us into their summer home.
Prior to the presentation, the club enjoyed a scrumptious buffet luncheon of lasagna, rolls, salads, and her ever famous pies served by Fran Martin.
President Sheila Wilcox opened the meeting with members standing for the Pledge of Allegiance and the Lord’s Prayer. Brenda Brewer read the minutes of the May meeting which were accepted with motions by Pat Rogers and Julie Leffler. Treasurer Joan Sinnigen gave the treasurer’s report which was accepted for financial review.
The Town Beautification report was given by Barbara Zaleskie who was standing in for Pat Yearick. She reported the bridge flower planters are doing well. Fran Gardiner said the committee members are watering the flowers. The Boy Scouts will also assist with watering on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pat Rogers said that new fall decorations are needed as last year’s decorations are rusted and in disrepair. Beautification committee members will purchase new fall decorations.
Beverly Smith reported another scrapbook is full. She will be passing them around to members during the summer months. She asked that they pass them along to the next person after one week. A group picture was taken and copies will be sent to Peg Cobleigh, Fran Homet, Marion Ballard, and Jeanne Applegate.
Judy Warn and her husband, Jim, are celebrating their 50th anniversary this week and cards would be appreciated.
Fran Homet is doing well and gaining slowly. Members were encouraged to send her a card. It was reported Carolyn Chaapel is at Broad Acres for rehab and a card would also be appreciated.
Barbara Zaleskie reported four get well cards and seven birthday cards were sent including the summer birthdays. Olynda Smith led us in singing Happy Birthday to those present.
Carol Lane thanked those who made the catering arrangements with Fran Martin. Carol announced a car pool driver is needed for the Troy Heights/Redington Ave. area. Julie Leffler and Brenda Brewer offered to help with this. Carol also passed out slips with Peg Cobleigh’s new address where cards may be sent. Pat Rogers asked the Program Committee to stay briefly afterwards to discuss a couple items for the upcoming year.
Sheila Wilcox reminded members the next meeting will be September 17th. The place will be announced in our new booklets once the programs have been printed and mailed. There was a motion to adjourn by Sonja Haflett and seconded by Annis Gustin.