This room -- now Chamberlain's library -- served as the main portion of the Kraffts' apartment.
Photo by Mindy Eckler.
Do not use without her express written permission.
I was both surprised to receive it, and fascinated as I read his descriptions. I thought it would make a wonderful addition to the Web site, so I wrote Mr. Krafft back, and asked his permission to use it. And to my delight--HE DID!
It certainly is an excellent insight into what Chamberlain's home looked like over thirty years ago. And I've added photos of what the rooms look like today, so you can see what Mr. Krafft saw back then.
I can't thank Mr. and Mrs. Krafft enough, for letting me share their memories with my site visitors!
"I was just surfing along and thought I'd look up the very first apartment we lived in after we got married. I was a recent graduate of Radioman "A" School in Bainbridge MD, and got married while on leave prior to moving to Brunswick for active duty with the United States Navy.
"We looked around a little bit and a realtor suggested we speak with the Bookers, an elderly couple who might have a place for rent. {NOTE: the Bookers were Emery Booker and his wife. Mr. Booker bought the Chamberlain house after it was sold out of the family.} This was in the summer of 1970. We met with the Bookers, I seem to recall her name was Marian and I forget his name, and settled on renting one of the ground floor apartments (just to the left upon entering the front door), located at 226 Maine Street. I believe there were 7 apartments in the house, rented to students, military couples, a single man and an elderly woman. Our neighbors, Dana and Terri Donovan (and their 2 daughters) were natives and likely still live in the general area.
This room -- now Chamberlain's library -- served as the main portion of the Kraffts' apartment.
Photo by Mindy Eckler.
Do not use without her express written permission.
"The rent was $85 per month - furnished! We were in tall cotton! I recall our living room had a fireplace, built in book shelves, two huge mirrors, and a glassed in porch. The doors were solid oak and probably 8 feet in height. The apartment was furnished with what surely must have been several antiques mixed with what we fondly remember as early poverty. I also remember a bentwood rocker which my wife loved very much.
Here is the spiral staircase in Chamberlain's home -- as described by Mr. Krafft below.
Photo by David Williamson.
Do not use without his express written permission.
"The bath was black and white stripes and had a clawfoot tub. The kitchen was small but functional and opened to an extra room (which had four or five doors) as well as the back porch. The carpeting was indoor/outdoor (red). We were particularly enamored with the beautiful spiral staircase just outside our front door. We have some pictures if you are interested. Unfortunately they are slides from an Instamatic camera...remember this was about 36 years ago.
"Incidentally, our first born arrived while we were living there. He now lives in California with his wife and three children. Time sure flies when you're having fun.
"We were newlyweds then and feel very fortunate to have lived in a place of such historical significance. I recall Mr. and Mrs. Booker, our landlords, had a small shop between their house and the Chamberlain House where they kept some of the General's memorabilia. I remember his boots were there!
Are these the same boots that Mr. Krafft describes above?
Photo by David Williamson.
Do not use without his express written permission.
"My oldest son was about 14 months old when we got transferred to our next duty station. The room now set up as the office was our bedroom until the baby came, then we moved to that little room with all the doors which actually sat at the base of and behind the spiral staircase. The office became "Dan's room". We actually penciled his name on the wall one night when we were picking out names. I don't think we erased it so it's probably still there under some paint or new wallpaper.
Here's young Dan Krafft's former bedroom -- now the "Governor's Room" in Chamberlain's house.
I wonder on which wall was Dan's name penciled in?
Photo by David Williamson.
Do not use without his express written permission.
"We were newlyweds and this was our honeymoon cottage for approximately two years. Very fond memories of the house, the town, the people.
"We are pleased to see that the house has been preserved and is recognized as an historical landmark. Thanks for the memories. We would like to see more photos of the restored house if that is possible."
THANKS, Mr. and Mrs. Krafft, for sharing your special memories!!
Maybe you, too, once lived in Chamberlain's Brunswick home years ago? If you have, please email your reminiscences to the address below.
And if you've got pictures from that time, I'd love to see them, too. Send those in a small JPG format.
NOTE: This Web site is Copyright © 1999- 2009 Pat Finnegan. All rights reserved. DO NOT use any written material, or photographs, without first contacting me in writing. If you do not do this, be assured that legal action will be taken.
THANK YOU!