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The Wolcott House

 

            
             I am standing outside the Wolcott House and it is 30 degrees out. A cold breeze runs through my coat. The Wolcott House is a late Federal early Greek Revival style home built around 1830. The home remained in the Wolcott's family possession until 1959 when it was then turned over to the public. It was built in Maumee during the pioneer days; the home is a magnificent white two story, fourteen-room mansion. The house overlooks the Maumee River, a perfect location for James Wolcott. He was a shipbuilder, architect, politician and judge, it was crucial for him to have easy access to the river. It has been documented that this historical home is haunted. There have been visions and the feeling of super natural presence in the rooms of the home. I try to imagine myself back in time, in the late nineteenth century. Instead of the roar of cars, I would hear the boats on the Maumee River. The sound of wood being chopped would be heard in the distance, one of the Wolcott children doing some of their daily chores. The Wolcott boys, all five of them, would be responsible for supplying the wood and kindling for the fireplaces.
             The house was built for Mrs. Wolcott from compensation from the government. The land was purchased for $1.25 an acre; they bought 300 acres. Mrs. Wolcott was the granddaughter of Chief Little Turtle and the government compensated for lost family land. There are several Indian artifacts in the Wolcott house that represent Mrs. Wolcott's family history. In the basement on a large display case are several Indian arrow heads. The basement is dark and cold, it served several purposes. It was here were the family's clothes were washed, canned foods were stored, guns and ammunition were also stored here for the military. Due to the storage of ammunition and guns there is a high level of anxiety in the basement; it is from a female presence. N.A. Reiter and L.L Schillig investigated some of these haunting tales and made these discoveries.


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