martinhouseclr

85 2 // SITE HISTORY & EVOLUTION Come July 1911, it becomes partially clear, as one from this climate would imagine, that it is specifically the winter that grinds on the Martin family’s mood and spirits. And it is some semblance or reminder of spring and summer during the long winter that the Martins desire most of all. In fact, based on a long and detailed handwritten note, it is specifically the lack of light in the conservatory that still vexes the Martins. 201 Among the desire for an improved growing experience in the greenhouse (including mitigating gas fumes from the cellar!) is a wandering and somewhat confusing list of “improvements” that he feels may bring cheer during the long winters. The winter in this climate is 7 months long, sometimes more, and is the time when flowers are appreciated most of all. Though Mrs Martin enjoys all flowers I think she enjoys the plants in flower in the greenhouse through the winter most. As things are situated now we have to use the cool greenhouse for growing and displaying plants in flower. This should not be. A conservatory is the proper place to display plants in flower. 201 The note includes two long pages of unsigned and undated hand-written material (DDM handwriting) which were included with a typed letter to FLW, dated 20 July 1911, in the UB Archives. The tone and subject matter of the letter seems to indicate that it was written to Thomas Skinner (the gardener), and perhaps attached to the correspondence sent to FLW to let him know what was on his mind about the conservatory and pergola. Fig. 61, bottom right Jewett frontage, c. 1913. Fig. 59, top Jewett frontage and main entry, c. 1915. Fig. 60, bottom left Conservatory and pergola, as viewed from the Summit lawn, c. 1915.