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Interior pictures of the house taken about 2006. From left, large indoor pool, eat-in kitchen and family room, located just off the pool area. Elegant | Italianate home one of Scugog’s best Continued from page 18 William Joseph Strong. Mr. Strong farmed the property for the remainder of his life. After his death in 1951, his son Hugh Strong purchased the 119 acre property from the family estate and continued to farm it for another 18 years. One of Mr. Strong’s children, Marie Geer, said she remembered the baseboards, stair- case, and in particular the elegant sliding doors between the living and dining rooms. A large part of the doors were constructed of burled maple, but it was all painted after they sold the old farm home. In 1969, the Strong family was approached by a Toronto based contractor, Tony Cesaroni, owner of Carlan Enterprises, who arrived in the area to purchase farmland to raise cattle and sheep. Mr. Cesaroni and his wife Su- san moved into the historic home and immediately began work on restoring it. The interior was refur- bished, replacing and repairing the original heavy plaster cornices. He also made the large sliding doors which separated the dining and liv- ing room, operational again. The bathrooms were modern- ized, and the old summer kitchen was converted into a family room with a large fireplace. A couple of years after moving in, the Cesa- ronis built a large addition on the north west side which contained a billiards room and swimming pool. In these new rooms he carefully reproduced the large baseboards and trim found in other parts of the house. The exterior of the building was complete and original except for the front porch, which had been removed a number of years earlier. Using an old photograph found in the house as a guide, the front porch was reconstructed on the original stone foundation. It was at this time, the deteriorating yellow bricks were re- paired and the house painted pale yellow. While living in Port Perry, Mr. Cesaroni purchased a number of area farms and built an apartment building at the corner of Simcoe St. and Durham Rd. #8, before selling and moving Everet M. Woud was next to purchase the land and house. He completed his acquisition in February 1978 from Carlan Enterprises Ltd, the company of Anthony Cesaroni While owners of the property, the Wouds built a new residence just west of the old home, and in 1986, separated four acres and sold the original Harper home to Dr. Jack and Patricia Cottrell. A number of years earlier Dr. Cottrell had pur- chased a similar styled Victorian home from Tony Cesaroni, imme- diately north of this home on the 6th concession. The Cottrells owned this elegant historic property until the fall of 2001, when it was sold to owner Ivan Lloyd. The Lloyd's held own- ership of the home for about five years. In the fall of 2007 ownership changed hands again, this time be- ing purchased by Karen and John Vanderzalm, who are opening a garden centre on the property this spring. By J. Peter Hvidsten Serving Port Perry, Uxbridge & Surrounding Area Installation Guidelines. Your Assurance of a Quality Installation! The Window Store is a Proud Member! + Sunrooms Installation - Siding The Window Store adheres 182 North Port Plaza, Unit #7 - Reach St. at North Port Rd. WINDOW STORE 905-985-6665 For All Voursindaw Nezds website: www. com FOCUS - FEBRUARY 2008 21 “FOCUS. FEB.2008.indd 21 & 4/2508 11 soean |