History of Content + Framebridge Collab : Part 1

We're excited to kick off a 3-part series on the History of Content. There is SO MUCH to report, we're breaking it up a bit.

We're also excited to announce our collaboration with Framebridge, who will be assisting us in displaying some of our newly acquired, Content artifacts.

Suffice it to say, up until Saturday, February 20, 2016 (almost a year and six months after closing) John and I knew a whole lot of nothing about this house we are making our home.

Before meeting Mame + Robert (a period I will now refer to as "BMR") everything we shared with you was a guess, at best.

We shared what we heard; rumors, folklore and personal anecdote. We were slowly, painfully so, piecing together names and facts. But in all honesty, we were reporting on hearsay.

And don't get me wrong, this year long sleuthing was fun! During down time at work, I'd find an obituary or a newspaper article, and excitedly report back to John over dinner.

Or my Dad would come by, sharing a story of a local so-and-so who, as a kid, would catch the bus out front of the house.

But, let's back up. Here's the OLD story that we used to share, based on our deduced information, BMR:

This hacienda style house, with center courtyard, was built in 1900 and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Harry + Lucy Wilson. It was part of the original Wilson Boat Works along the Shrewsbury River in Long Branch. Based on its small, multiple rooms with individual fireplaces, it likely profited as a boarding house for summer visitors to the Jersey Shore.

Lucy Wilson, pre 1960, standing on the porch of Content.

Sometime in the 1960s, the City reclaimed land along the river, the property was taken in eminent domain, and redeveloped into the current park and boat launch.

As a Councilwomen, Mrs. Lucy Wilson was involved in a law suit, alleging the house was moved across the street, to the south side of Atlantic Avenue, using her government influence and funding.

The house was moved in three separate parts, we know this thanks to the personal story of Craig Kylie, who as a child, was taken out of school to watch his family's business perform the actual move.

Harry and Lucy were the sole owners of the house, and proudly, Harry stored a beautiful sky blue, sport Jaguar in the carport.

Harry Wilson died in 1990 and though Lucy continued to occupy the house, she developed dementia towards the end of her life. Neighbors reported petty arguments over the direction of their sprinkler heads and were reprimanded one day for their children standing on the lawn, waiting for the school bus, and invited onto the porch the next to escape the rain.

After her death in October 2007, at the age of 89, a huge auction took place on the front lawn in which the majority of their possessions were sold.

Harry and Lucy did not have children, so upon their death, the house was put on the market.

Sounds believable, right? And like all folklore, passed through generations, this story splintered and evolved.

We now know that this story included fragments of truth and hints of fact, but by enlarge, is fiction.

Then, while working on the front porch, John was approached by a stranger, riding her bike past the house. This freindly stranger was Mame; Lucy Wilson's goddaughter.

After quickly exchanging emails, John reassurance Mame, "My wife will be THRILLED to take to you about the house!"

A few introductory emails were exchanged, in which I was struck to read Mame referring to the house as "Content."

Wait, Content!? Had John told her we call the house "Content"?

Had I not independently decided to refer to the house as "Content." by simply finding the old, workshop sign that read, "Content."

This started a flurry of questions that I needed answered. So, Mame and her husband Robert came for a visit and what we discovered will continue in Part 2!

BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP BEFORE YOU GO! Take a look below + cast your vote by commenting!

We are collaborating with the generous folks at Framebridge.com! 1. Giving you a sneak peek at our newly acquired artifacts and 2. Providing us an opportunity to preserve a few of Content's priceless pieces forever!

For those of you unfamiliar, Framebridge is a custom framing website that has a ton of unique and sofisticated frames. They take the guess work out of displaying photos or art, and guide you through the framing process with step by step instructions and design assistance.

I've chosen to frame this beautiful black and white photos of Lucy Wilson standing in the porch of Content.

This photo represents so much. It's the first old picture, of Content, that we ever laid eyes on and shows the house covered in its original, unpainted cedar shake.

On the Framebridge website, you can upload a image of your photo or art, and try out different frames before purchasing. For those of you visual-learners, like me, this is their #1 best feature!

So, which style frame do you think would work best?

Comment with you top choice below and follow along with the whole series to see our BIG, gallery wall reveal, coming soon!