In
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The
big house on the chop
April 14, 2005
By Anna Marie
D'Addarie
The
book discussion group had the privilege of meeting in the
living room. Here (from left) Cynthia Walsh, Jessica Sawyer,
Cathy Lewis, and Marjorie Convery join in the discussion of
"The Big House" and are warmed by Saturdayıs sun
through the large windows.
Mrs. Silas W. Howland's home in West Chop was the site of
"The Big House" tour last Saturday.
Dolly Campbell (left) stops by one of the many
pieces of artwork in her family home. Priscilla Sinatra listens
to Dollyıs anecdote.
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Last Saturday seemed
even brighter when you looked at the water from a big house on West
Chop. Dolly Campbell opened her late grandmother Dorothy Howland's
home to visitors last Saturday as one of the One Book, One Island
events centering on George H. Colt's “The Big House.”
Like the house in Mr. Colt's book, the West Chop manse has been in
Dolly's family for years. Dorothy Howland, Dolly's grandmother, purchased
the home in 1941 and her family has gathered there ever since.
Big
House author speaks
George Howe Colt. Photo by Susan Safford
For
some, the highlight of this year's One Book, One Island program
took place at Katharine Cornell Theater Friday night, when
George Howe Colt, author of the adult selection, spoke and
read selections from his book, "The Big House."
Tall, thin, with tousled hair and a big smile, Mr. Colt was
entertaining, funny, enlightening, and, like his book, full
of anecdotes. The crowd of 50-plus sat with rapt attention
when they weren't laughing or asking questions.
Mr. Colt refused to let his book be pigeonholed into a specific
category when pressed by questions from the audience. He said
for him, the book is multifaceted - part family memoir, part
period history, part an attempt to capture the aura of childhood.
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The house was
built in 1898 by John Saltonstall and is a classic summer home of
the period. Two large additions increased the size of the house,
adding a glorious living room and a huge dining room where formal
lunches were always served. Dolly remembers fondly the 12:30 pm
call to lunch each day.
Dolly, who was named for her grandmother, graciously showed us every
nook and cranny of the sprawling house where every wall, mantle,
bureau top, and shelf is filled with her family photos and mementos.
The tour ooh-ed and aah-ed their way through all 11 bedrooms, six
bathrooms, dining room, living room, kitchen, and deck. You didn't
need to read the book to appreciate the beauty and history in every
room. The spectacular views from every window drew envy from all.
Bonnie
George of Chilmark read the book and she and her husband Bob joined
the tour. “I've been intrigued by Victorian houses ever since
I was a little girl and saw the television show, “Mama”
(after “I Remember Mama”) with Peggy Wood,” said
Ms. George.
She and her husband also attended the author's talk at the Katharine
Cornell Theatre on Friday evening. Ms. George said the lecture and
the author were as wonderful as the book. “We just had to see
the house,” she said.
Midway through the open house, a book discussion took place in the
living room with more than 20 people taking part. Some had big houses
or little houses in their family. Cousins Cathy Lewis and Marjorie
Convery mentioned that their family took care of the summer people
in big houses.
The house tour in a big summer home gave the public a chance to
meet the main character of the book, the house itself, and what
a wonderful meeting it was.
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