This is a photo tour of the cottage at 178 South Shore Road, Groton Long Point, CT.
On September 26, 2003 Frank and Cynthia Mason hosted a party and invited me (Ted) to come play music. I brought along my music buddies, Joe and Mickey.The Masons have done just a phenomenal job of improving every aspect of the property that was once the Knowlton cottage. (1923 - 1969) It was built in 1915 by the Bates family. If you have not already viewed http://www.tedknowlton.com/hurricane/, you should do so now. The second-to-bottom photo shows the house (from the road) as it is today.
The following pictures are mostly a close-up view of various parts of the cottage. Among the many improvement, all windows and floors have been replaced, and all walls are fully paneled on both sides - along with the enclosed ceilings. The house is infintely quieter than it was in the old days! The pictures will show how exquisitely the Masons have redone/redecorated every room in the house.
A little extra feature: A recording of foghorns - recorded sometime in the late 1950's. This was at a time when there were few navigation aids, and it was important for each foghorn to be distinctive. The closest horn is from North Dumpling, and it is pitched high. The deep sounding horn is from Southwest Ledge at the entrance to New London harbor. (It would help to have a sub-woofer.)
On a balmy, calm night the music is set up right in the middle of the front porch.
Joe Corcoran (drums), Stearns Martin, Mickey Roache (guitar) relaxing on the front porch.
The "side bar" on the east side of the porch. That's the dining room entrance.
Looking towards the west side porch, from the extended front porch.
A view of the extended front porch. The old rocking chairs have survived the years.
Frank Mason just outside the front entrance. The window in back of him is
where the pre-1993 entrance was.
A view of the upper porch with the French doors.
Looking through the front entrance, through Leila's room - now an entry foyer -
into the kitchen.
The landing has been removed from the stairs which now go straight up.
The living room with the wicker furniture that has survived total immersion in 2 hurricanes.
Another view of the living room looking toward the dining room.
Looking directly into the dining room from the living room.
From the east end of the dining room looking into the kitchen.
The kitchen. The fridge is where the door to the stair landing used to be.
The downstairs bathroom.
Looking out the back door.
Looking from the back patio to the back door. The outdoor shower room is straight ahead.
From the patio looking towards the garage.
Looking at the back of the house.
The upstairs bathroom. The bathtub and the door have swapped positions
The northeast bedroom. (Archa's room)
The southeast bedroom. (Harriette's room) That's Retta-Retta-Retta in the dog crate.
The middle front bedroom is now an upstairs sitting room/dinette kitchen area.
From the French doors looking towards where the beds used to be. There is a sink, stove,
fridge, and storage closet extending into where the hall to the "west wing" used to be.
The door on the left leads into the master bedroom. (Sylvia's room)
Master bedroom - looking out on Fishers Island sound.
The master bath (Bessie's room) with door leading to outside rear porch.
A bathtub with a view of the south beach dock!
The middle back room is now mainly an office. (Ted's room)
Looking down the stairs into the entry foyer.
From the bottom of the stairs looking into the kitchen.
From the kitchen sink area looking towards the dining room.
From the kitchen, looking through the entry foyer and out the front door.
Breakfast with Annie and Cynthia.