Would the limestone walls of the 1880’s Grimm-Schultz Farmstead express pride in the recent listing on the National Register of Historic Places?  Or would they whisper that stone walls outlive their masons and their occupants and carry stories of the past into the future?  That future for the Grimm-Schultz Farmstead is more secure when the property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service under the Department of the Interior on October 5, 2020, supported by the Kansas State Historical Society.

 

Although Wabaunsee County residents have noticed the steel-fabricated sign on the Old K-10 Road, designed by Bobby and Chris Alexander of Council Grove, folks may not be aware of the number of stone buildings on the property. From historic preservationist Susan Jezak Ford’s application, “Built between 1875 and 1915, the farmstead's historic buildings include five primary farm structures—a main house, stone barn, stone corn crib/wash house, stone/frame granary, and a frame/concrete hay shed. These contributing buildings with secondary structures ensured that the Grimm-Schultz Farmstead is its own historic district. 

 

Jason Droge, construction owner in the Topeka area, spent hours within the Main House to begin the renovation in March 2020. Working primarily alone, he remediated modern materials, furnishings, and decoration from the interior. As Jason began to remove layer after layer of carpet, linoleum, faux paneling, wallpaper over sheetrock, acoustical ceiling tiles, modern light fixtures--- to find the “bones” of the main house, he listened. 

 

One whimsical discovery was that the second floor was covered in 5-inch planks of native Douglas Fir from the western states, likely brought to Alma by train. With concern that the existing floor would require multiple patches due to various heating designs over the past century, Jason made the surprising discovery of a Douglas Fir platform in the attic when the attic ceiling fan was removed.

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Carla Craven, of Surfaces Designs in Kansas City, grew up on a dairy farm in Missouri, and lives the semi-rural lifestyle. She insisted the wainscoting in the Farmstead’s parlor was original, and she verified that claim with Cindy and Leland Schultz, the previous inhabitants of the Farmstead. Carla watched the light coming from windows at various times of day to choose the paint colors with historical authenticity and convinced our renovation team that the 18-inch deep window openings were “picture frames” for the delicious landscapes visible in every direction. Sourcing from consignment stores, garage sales, on-line providers, and the owner’s basement, Carla helped create a home environment that the community and visitors will use.​