July 4th, 2001

Dear Readers,

I would like to share with you the events of last evening, which was our third annual Peek In, because it goes to show you the sense of community that was present when the Cassidy House was built is not dead.   The Peek In started on fireworks night, my first year in the house.  Being just 2 blocks from the launch site, the front yard afforded a wonderful view of the fireworks.  The inner and outer double front doors were open wide and the inside lights blazing as I sat on the steps watching the display.  After the show, as the flow of people returned to their homes and parked cars, many stopped on the sidewalk, on both sides of Washington St.  They craned their necks to see as much as they could of the house’s interior through the open doors.   Some cars even stopped on the road.  I talked to many folks and some came onto the porch to peek in the doors from close range.

Last year I did the same thing, allowing them to walk into the hall.  The rain put a damper on things and we had less than 100 visitors.   This year I put a sign out front at about 7 pm saying “Open House From 8 to ?,  Closed during fireworks”.  We allowed folks in to see the entry hall and fireplace, main stairs, dining room, pantry, and parlor.  There was a steady flow of people through the house before the show.  After the show the open rooms were packed with people.   Dave Bishop talked to folks inside as I stood at the door and walked around inside telling of the house’s history and the renovation in progress.   John Bishop handed out flyers about the website, NewLondonCountyGuide.com to visitors.  We didn’t charge folks to view the house, but told them that we would receive a small commission on anything they purchased from websites listed in our Catalog Mall.  “The income will go to help paint the house”, I laughingly said, “ which everyone would like to see.”

I stood on the front porch greeting folks and telling the crowd of passers by that we were open one evening a year – fireworks night – to let the public see the house.  The house looked so run down on the outside.  Folks were genuinely surprised at the beauty of the woodwork and fireplaces inside.   A man walked up to me and explained he was in the construction business.  He wanted to know how he could volunteer to help.  Volunteer mind you, volunteer!  I fall through the cracks on most of the grant and loan programs .  The only way to get these funds is to turn the house into low-income apartments, which would be a tragedy.  My efforts to get some of the historic groups to help have failed because an individual, rather than a non-profit organization owns the property. 

Thinking there might be other like-minded individuals in the crowd, I started a list entitled “Volunteer to Help” and set it on the hall table.  By the end of the evening, we had close to 400 visitors, gave out 150 flyers, and had 15 names on the list. Each of the people had a skill to offer.  Among the signers were a few couples, several young women with painting experience and more construction folks.  One professional renovator talked to me of the houses he had worked on in the area that have been cut up into apartments and how wonderful it was that I was saving this house.  Another couple that volunteered told of the 1700s house they redid in Norwichtown.  Another person just wanted to be able to say they had helped save the Cassidy House. One local attorney is even going to make a contribution to help with the cost of supplies.  All in all it was quite an experience.  

Gloria Woerheide
The Cassidy House
Norwich, CT