Gracious Living on the East Coast

Gracious Living on the East Coast

By: Linda Davis

My early morning arrival at Kettledrum, located in Manchester – By – The – Sea, MA, gave me the opportunity to watch the blurred lines of the Atlantic coast come into focus as the sea mist rose slowly into the warm air.  The original home, then named Thorncliff, was purchased in 1953 by one of the current owner's parents.  This property not only went through a name change to Kettledrum, it has also experienced a metamorphosis due to massive damage caused by frozen pipes and water.

As if taking on the role of a sentinel, Kettledrum overlooks Kettle Cove, Kettle Island, and the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean keeping watch on paddleboarders, kayakers, sailors, and lobstermen as they pass by.

A old photo of Thorncliff

Kettledrum stands proudly on the site of its predecessor, Thorncliff, incorporating the old foundation into the design of new home.

After realizing that the home was "beyond feasible repair", the owners hired architect Alex Coogan who was asked to blend many of the favored design elements from the original 19th century home into their new home.  After combing through the Manchester Historical Society archives, Coogan found the original architectural plans for the 1896 home, drawn by renowned Boston architect, CK Cummings which was built for Buckley Wells.  Coogan then used these plans as a reference for certain details to design the new home, blending a combination of old and new elements.

The architectural detail of this stairway is evident, but unseen and sealed inside the lower newel post, one will find a time capsule secretly placed by the current family with hopes that someday, in the far future, others will find it.

Architectural details abound through the home.

Saved from the kitchen of the old home, this brick oven stove is now in a room that the current owners call "The Grotto”.

Utilizing as much of the old home as possible, the top of the old foundation is also used as additional seating while enjoying the back deck.

An outdoor shower is in place to rinse off after a day enjoying the ocean.

Over the years, Kettldrum’s family has enjoyed family gatherings, parties, and weddings, but the time has come to share this grand home with a new owner who wants to create their own memories and share the home and history with their family and friends.