Owners of historic home in Bow restore Underground Railroad stop

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Tucked away in Chateauguay Corner, once an influential district of Bow, the white chimney with a black top was meaningless to all but a few.

The unique chimney on the old tavern was a symbol of refuge along the Underground Railroad.

More than 200 years later, Kim Thurlow and Stacey Rovinelli – owners of the Page
Road home, which sheltered and saved many lives – are restoring its historic character.

Though they don’t have pictures of what the home once looked like inside, Thurlow said they want to make it look as close to a vintage 19th-century tavern as possible.

The two women, Thurlow’s mother and daughter, live in the home and are replacing the modern interior with antique lighting, wrought iron and wood fixtures, and original wooden beams.

Outside, Thurlow and Rovinelli are installing granite fence posts, antique lighting and replacing aluminum siding with wood clapboard.

“Aluminum just doesn’t belong on a tavern,” said Thurlow.

Stripping the siding revealed a lack of insulation but wide vertical wood beams pinned by square nails were uncovered.

“I think it’s nice to be able to take something and restore it to its original shape,” Thurlow said.

“We get so many positive comments from our neighbors who stop by just to say how beautiful it is. That makes it rewarding right there.”

Thurlow said they are trying to restore the house into a tavern, but before and after it was a tavern, it was used as a regular home with four fireplaces.

There was also a sawmill across the street.

Records show the building was last used as a tavern in 1818, and was sold.

In 1821, Samuel Clements, a justice of the peace, issued a warrant for David Clark, the innkeeper at the time. Apparently, an armed assault on a man named Noah Clark occurred at the tavern.

Thurlow said nothing has been found in writing, but many locals have passed on the heritage of the former Underground Railroad safehouse.

Upstairs, there is a hidden room behind a fireplace along with visible peep holes used by those in hiding.

Thurlow also believes spirits are in the home and said she is the only one to ever see the female spirit.

“We call her Mary,” said Thurlow. “She’s really the kind of spirit that watches over people. She has a great fondness for kids and she often looks very sad. But since we’ve lived here, she’s been very happy.”

Thurlow heard of a conversation which was supposed to have taken place between a spirit and her aunt and uncle, previous owners of the home.

The dialogue indicates a fire may have burned down an original house on the site and as many as six people died in the fire.

In the attic, Thurlow and Rovinelli said they found charred pieces of wood, which may validate a fire took place.

Other items found in nooks and tucked in walls around the house include old pieces of fabric and cloth, a lead spoon and an old shoe.

Thurlow and Rovinelli are placing pennies with the current year and other items in the wall to leave a legacy of their own.

The house is still a work in progress, but Thurlow hopes to finish the inside and exterior over the next couple of years and maybe hang a Chateauguay Corner or tavern sign on the outside.