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NIAGARA, Wis. -- My husband and I have always lived in older homes. Certainly, when we were kids, we lived in them because that is where our parents decided to raise their families. His family owned a home that had been part of a dairy owned and run by his grandparents. My family moved from rental house to rental house. I am not sure why we moved as often as we did, but none of us thought anything of it at the time. And, my hometown was filled with glorious older homes full of character which, I am sure, fueled my love of them.
In the early years of our marriage, my husband and I moved from apartment to apartment as we took turns finishing college. All of that changed when we moved north and decided to put down roots in Niagara. We chose a house that had been built in 1928 and had a lot of potential. Of course, it took many years for us to take advantage of that potential, since the only improvement we could initially afford to make was paint -- inside and out.
I recently stumbled upon an article that described why these older homes had certain design features; very few of them will be built into today's homes.
Hallways changed everything
In many earlier homes, rooms were connected directly to one another, meaning people often had to pass through one space to reach the next. Some of you may have seen, or experienced, this as it pertained to bedrooms. In the 18th and 19th centuries, hallways, or corridors, became more common which created defined routes through the house and reduced the need to walk through rooms that were being actively used. This new layout helped separate private spaces from household traffic and made homes easier to navigate.
The growing use of hallways also increased the number of doors inside a home. Rather than a chain of interconnected rooms, houses could be organized around central halls with separate entrances to individual spaces. The arrangement allowed rooms to function more independently while giving occupants greater privacy and control over how different areas of the house were used.
Finding privacy
As homes became more compartmentalized and hallways gave rooms their own entrances, families gained greater control over personal space. This became increasingly important as ideas about household privacy evolved during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Bedrooms, studies, and later indoor bathrooms were expected to provide a degree of separation from the rest of the household.
Older homes were often occupied by larger families, and personal space was not always easy to find. Multiple children frequently shared bedrooms. I shared a bedroom with my sister for a number of years, and my husband's sisters shared a bedroom. Also, different generations might live under the same roof; my grandmother eventually came to live with my family. So, doors came in handy as a simple way to reduce noise, limit interruptions, and create moments of solitude within a busy household.
Heating one room at a time
Before central heating became widespread, keeping a house warm required a very different approach. Many homes relied on fireplaces, wood stoves, coal stoves, or localized radiators, which heated individual rooms rather than the entire structure. Closing doors helped keep warmth where it was needed and prevented heat from drifting into unused areas. My grandparents' farmhouse had a big stove in the
kitchen that was part wood burning and part propane. And they had a large gas space heater in what was the dining room. This room also had three rocking chairs so it doubled as a sitting room in the winter months. During the summer, the parlor was opened up as was the upstairs. We burned wood for many years until gas lines finally came to Niagara.
The need for this type of climate control shaped the layout of houses for generations. During winter, families often spent most of their time in a few heated rooms while the rest of the house remained considerably cooler. Interior doors acted as simple, but effective, climate-control tools, helping households conserve fuel and maintain a more comfortable temperature. A door was one of the easiest ways to control heat within a home long before programmable thermostats even existed.
Hiding the kitchen
Today, all one needs to do is watch HGTV to learn immediately about the open concept kitchen. Kitchens today are designed as gathering spaces that open into great rooms or living rooms making entertaining easy. And the cook is no longer isolated in a separate room away from all the fun.
Historically, however, kitchens were considered work areas that shouldn't be seen. Preparing meals from scratch generated heat, smoke, noise and strong cooking odors, making the kitchen one of the busiest and most demanding rooms in the house. Consequently, it was separated from formal living areas whenever possible. In many homes, keeping the kitchen out of sight was considered just as important as isolating its heat and smells.
Most kitchens had multiple doors that served different purposes. One might connect directly to the dining room for serving meals, while another led outside for deliveries, firewood, or access to gardens. These doors helped keep household work moving efficiently while limiting the spread of heat, smells, and clutter into the rest of the home. Special swinging doors and butler's pantries also enabled the separation of preparation and presentation.
Today, in the open concept kitchen, guests often participate in food preparation as part of the evening's fun.
Construction methods
Long ago, building techniques naturally encouraged houses to be divided into smaller rooms. Creating large, open spaces required longer structural spans and stronger support systems, which were more difficult and expensive to achieve with the materials available at the time. Consequently, builders needed to rely on load-bearing walls to support upper floors and roofs. These structural walls naturally broke homes into a series of smaller spaces connected by doors and hallways. Once those walls were in place, adding doors was a practical way to connect rooms while preserving the structure of the house. The result was a floor plan filled with thresholds, hallways, and enclosed spaces.
Open-concept layouts did not become easier and more desirable to build until steel beams and engineered lumber became available to contractors. I remember when we were finally able to do a massive redesign to our 1920s home, I wanted to knock out the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create a breakfast counter and an open concept. Our contractor could only open it up so much because it was a "load bearing wall."
Our remodel was a success. Our home is very functional yet has kept all of its 1928 farmhouse charm. My husband tells everyone that the only thing the same about our house is its address ... and that is actually quite accurate.
Source: Kristina Wright for Science and Industry
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NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES
Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community
Kingsford
906-774-1530
The center welcomes anyone who would like to entertain residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.
The third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. has a Memory Cafe -- a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program runs on donations.
Sunday: Church on TV, 10 a.m.; have fun with the weekend packet, 6 p.m.
Monday: "Price Is Right" on CBS, 10 a.m.; movie in the dining room, 1:30 p.m.; bingo, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Communion, 10 a.m.; nail spa, 10 a.m.; memory café, 2 p.m.
Wednesday: Blue crab, 10 a.m.; reminisce, 11 a.m.; horse racing, 2 p.m.
Thursday: Baking, 10 a.m.; comedy, 11 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.
Friday: Exercise, 10 a.m.; karaoke, 10:15 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.
Saturday: Board games in the dining room, 10 a.m.; "The Wall" on the Game Show Network channel, 7 p.m.
Iron County Medical Care Facility
Crystal Falls
906-874-1501
No information was provided.
Optalis Healthcare
Kingsford
906-774-4805
Sunday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; movie and manicures, 2 p.m.
Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; dice game, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; coloring club, 2 p.m.; puzzles in the lobby, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Junk Food Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; July birthday party with cake and ice cream, 2 p.m.
Wednesday: Coffee time, 9 a.m.; Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; cards in the lobby, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Refreshment Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; summertime craft and lemonade, 2 p.m.
Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; word search, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; water games and refreshments on the patio, 2 p.m.
Saturday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bean bag toss, 2 p.m.
Maryhill Manor Nursing Home
Niagara, Wis.
715-251-3172
Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.
Sunday: Coffee social and resident choice of game, 10 a.m.; individual communion, 10:15 a.m.; prize bingo, 1:45 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.
Monday: Rosary/Communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; water fun in the courtyard -- watermelon snack, 2 p.m.; game night, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Rosary/Communion service, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; coffee and chit chat, 10:15 a.m.; courtyard campfire -- s'mores, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.
Wednesday: Rosary/Communion service, 9 a.m.; courtyard friends -- family ties -- bocce ball, 10 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; Yahtzee, 5:30 p.m.; music in the park: Victorious -- Dave and Vicki.
Thursday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; hangman, 10 a.m.; ice cream outing, 1 p.m.; courtyard cabana - cornhole, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.
Friday: Uno, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.
Saturday: Scrabble match, 10 a.m.; courtyard games -- parachute, 2 p.m.
Northshore Healthcare
Florence, Wis.
715-528-4833
No information was available.
Victorian Pines
Iron Mountain
906-774-5158
Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.
Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; trivia and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.
Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.
Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.
Pinecrest Medical Care Facility
Powers
906-497-5244
Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bunco, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:30 a.m.; church service, 1:30 p.m.; patio social, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages, daily chronicles.
Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; "You be the judge," 11 a.m.; manicure Monday, 2 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.
Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; juice hour/who, what, where, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Uno, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.
Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; Pictionary 11 a.m.; Bible stories, 11 a.m.; crafty Wednesday, 2 p.m.; rummy, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.
Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo/fact of the day, 10:30 a.m.; movie, 2 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles; lunch outing.
Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; karaoke, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.
Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; exercise group, 10 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; Bible studies, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 3 p.m.; activity packets, daily chronicles.
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SENIOR CENTERS
Amasa Center
906-822-7284
Menu for the week -- Lunch will be served at 11:30 on Tuesday. For reservations, call 906-822-7284.
Tuesday: Grilled ham and cheese sandwich, pasta salad, Jell-O with fruit.
Wednesday: Grilled chicken, chef salad, cup of broccoli soup, dinner roll.
Thursday: Scrambled eggs, bacon, cheesy hash brown potatoes, muffin.
Breen Center
Kingsford
906-774-5110
Dine-in eating at noon Monday through Thursday. Carryout meals, soup and salad bar are also available. Friday meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week --
Monday: Bratwurst, cowboy beans, corn, pudding.
Tuesday: Swedish meatballs, buttered noodles, mixed vegetables.
Wednesday: Chicken gravy over mashed potatoes, broccoli, dinner roll.
Thursday: Deluxe cheeseburger, oven-baked fries, macaroni and cheese, fruited Jell-O.
Crystal Falls Center
906-875-6709
The center serves meals for dine-in or takeout -- call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or to place an order. All food is purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. -- call ahead and leave a message with a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week --
Monday: Cook's choice
Tuesday: New item -- Sweet and sour pork over rice.
Wednesday: New item -- Cheesy Mexican casserole.
Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency
DICSA
Iron Mountain
906-774-2256, ext. 244.
This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only -- call to make arrangements. Menu for the week --
Monday: Swedish meatballs, buttered noodles, mixed vegetables, croissant.
Tuesday: Creamy spinach and sausage pasta, broccoli, dinner roll.
Wednesday: Brats, cowboy beans, corn, pudding.
Thursday: Baked chicken, rice pilaf, candied carrots, strawberry rhubarb crisp.
Friday: Scalloped potatoes and ham, peas, biscuit.
Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.
For more information, call Sarah VanMarter at 906-774-2256, ext. 244.
Crystal Lake Center
Iron Mountain
906-828-1776
Schedule for the week:
Monday: Les Artistes art club, noon to 3 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.
Tuesday: Cards – Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.
Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents, with 10 games played.
Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; board games, 1 to 3 p.m.
Friday: Cards -- Smear, noon to 4 p.m.; chess, noon.
Felch Center
906-246-3559
Head cook: Joan Wickman, 906-246-3559
Program president: Lisa Casey, 906-282-7899.
Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal at 11:30 a.m. and dessert to follow. Evening meal is served every third Wednesday of the month, with sponsored activities. Takeout meals are available. Delivery offered to homebound residents within Felch, West Branch and Breen townships.
Menu for the week --
Monday: Turkey bacon ranch wraps, potato chips.
Tuesday: Smothered chicken breast, pasta with Alfredo sauce.
Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy.
Aging and Disability Resource Center
Florence County, Wis.
715-528-4890
Menu for the week --
Monday: Pizza casserole, spinach salad, fruit salad.
Tuesday: Christmas in July -- Smothered chicken breast, sweet potato casserole, Christmas broccoli salad, fruit, chocolate mint cream pie.
Wednesday: Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, beets, fruit, lemon poppy seed cake.
Thursday: Cheese burger with lettuce, tomato and onion, vegetable tortellini salad, fruit.
Friday: Enchilada bake with lettuce, olives, onion and salsa, refried beans, fruit.
All meals are served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.
Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center
Serving on site Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. RSVP by calling 715-589-4491.
Florence Community Center
Serving on site Monday through Thursday at 11:30 a.m. RSVP by calling 715-528-4261
Fence Town Hall
Serving on Wednesday only at noon. RSVP by calling 715-589-4491.
Tipler Town Hall
Serving at noon on second Thursday of the month only. RSVP by calling 715-674-2320.
Hermansville Center
Coordinator: Barb Peters
906-498-7735
Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals on Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.
Monday: Western egg bake, oven potatoes, stewed tomatoes, fresh fruit, whole wheat bread.
Tuesday: Turkey gravy over mashed potatoes, chef's choice vegetable, chef's choice fruit cup, whole wheat bread.
Wednesday: Smothered pork chop, boiled red potatoes, Brussel sprouts, diced pears, whole wheat bread.
Thursday: Cheeseburger with whole wheat bun, creamed corn, potato salad, warm applesauce.
Milk available at all meals.
Iron River Center
906-265-6134
Lunch served Tuesday and Wednesday at noon, salad bar at 11:30 a.m. Thursday is an evening meal -- salad bar opens at 4:30 p.m., with meal at 5 p.m.
Tuesday: Chicken sandwich, fruit salad.
Wednesday: Cheese quesadilla, chili.
Thursday: Lasagna, cauliflower, garlic bread.
All meals are served with choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.
Niagara Senior Center/Cafe
715-251-1603
Dinner is served at noon Tuesday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation for the meal is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Bingo is played on most Wednesdays. Transportation to the meal site is available.
Bingo on Tuesday and Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Tuna-noodle casserole, peas, pickled beets, wheat roll, fruit cocktail.
Wednesday: Pork chop, wild rice, broccoli, carrot raisin salad, fruit salad.
Thursday: Sub sandwich on a bun with lettuce and tomato, fresh orange, chips.
Norway Center
Director: Alicia Rochon
906-563-8716
Dine-in eating begins at 11:30 a.m. Salad bar available from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11:15 to 11:30 a.m. -- those attending should let staff know in advance if planning to dine in or picking up the meal. Menu for the week --
Monday: Liver or burger, mashed potatoes with gravy, wax beans.
Tuesday: Chicken cranberry wraps, fries, cole slaw.
Wednesday: Chef salad (with egg, chicken and ham), ham and Swiss slider.
Thursday: Bratwurst, sauerkraut, oven-roasted potatoes, baked beans.
Board meeting on Thursday.
Center activity schedule:
Mondays and Thursdays -- Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.
Monday through Thursday -- Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.
Tuesdays -- Quilting and sewing.
Wednesdays -- Ceramics and crocheting.
Last Monday of each month -- Book club at 9 a.m.
Second Thursday of each month -- birthdays and bingo.
Sagola Center
906-542-3273
Dine-in meals served. Salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals are also available. Dine-in meal is $5 and takeout meal is $6. Reservations are required and should specify if dining in or taking out. Come and enjoy a meal -- all are welcome, of any age. Menu for the week --
Tuesday: Stuffed peppers.
Wednesday: Open-faced turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes and gravy.
Thursday: Kielbasa, pierogies.