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-it contains a lot of history" - Bill Carnegie The drawing room appears to be just as it was 103 years ago when Joseph Bigelow moved into the house. "This house should be the location of our Museum . "I.must admit I'm really going to miss this place." There was just a slight trace of emotion in the voice of William J. (Bill) Carnegie as he stood on the spacious lawn in front of the maghnifi- cent 19th century home on Cochrane - Street where he has lived for the past 55 years, and which has been in his family continuously since it was built in 1877 by Bill's great grandfather Joseph Bigelow. The Carnegie House, one of the finest historic homes in the Port Perry area has been sold to a Bank of Montreal executive who was transferred to Toronto recently, and Bill and his wife Laura will be moving out at the end of this month. Although the decision to put the house and property up for sale was made almost four years ago, Bill admits that now with the end of the month drawing closer, he has a lot of mixed feelings and emotions about it all. And those same feelings will probably hit a peak on August 21 when the truly magnificent - furnishings, many of them older than the house itself, go on the public auction block. . et The auction will be held on the property, and it is expec- _ ih 4 « 3 SIR IR gn. i : Eid Met RY nil A at Bi « 34 "jw ) FIRY Per y BL * BLT oa 0s yd oy TAA x LETRA LA Bill Carnegie stands in front of the house on Cochrane Street which has been in his family for more than 100 years. Drawing room chandelier once-held oil lamps, but has since been converted to electric power. ted to attract dealers and collectors of fine antique furniture from all over the province. Entering the drawing room of the Carnegie House is like stepping into the 19th century. The enormous room; with its high ceilings and bay windows, is filled with furniture that has been in the house since 1877, There are two identical sets, one in green and one in cinnamon, each consisting of a settee and four matching chairs. All in immaculate condition, they appear to be just as they were when Joseph Bigelow brought them into his new home 103 years ago. At one end of the room is a full-length standing mirror, flanked on either side by gilt-framed oil portraits painted in 1872 of Joseph Bigelow and his wife Eliza- beth Paxton. The mirror will be sold at the auction. The two paint- ings have been donated by Mr. Carnegie to the Town Hall 1873, in Port Perry where they will be on permanent display. [ ) Original chandeliers which 'hang at both ends of the room were constructed so that they could be lowered to light the oil lamps' which have long since been conver- ted to electric power. The chandeliers apparently will ,. stay with the house. . In the centre hall is a unique piece of furniture - a hat-rack and small table with two matching chairs, all made from walnut. Joseph Bigelow was 'obviously a man of means. and good taste when he furnished his house in 1877. The dining room buffet is made from burled walnut, as is a gigantic combination secretary-bookcase which stands more than eight feet high. Inthe upstairs hall is a dresser of birdseye maple and cherry wood. The rail- ing which follows the stair- case to the six bedrooms on the second floor is made of black walnut. Just what is the value of these pieces of furniture? Bill says he really has neo idea. Although Bill will take a few things with him when he leaves such as a marble- topped table, a small desk and some chairs, and the new owner has expressed interest in keeping some of the furnishings with the house, the rest will come under the auctioneers hammer on August 21. The house itself is a design known as Italiante, and the plans were drawn by an "Oshawa architect ~by -the name of H.R. Barber. --It sits on 1.3 A. of land. Mr. Carnegie actually sold the house and grounds to local realtor George Stone of Port Perry who lined up the Montreal buyer. The back portion of tie property which fronts on Rosa Street will be severed and three building, lots. created. ' Joseph Bigelow lived in the house from 1877 until 1891, when one of his daughters and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. McCaw, moved in. They had a family of eight daughters, one of whom was Bill's mother who married Arthur J. Carnegie. Bill was born in the old (Turn to page 9) A} 8 ¥ LX i; al Nie Lod I ome sold, antique| 1