Indecision or changing tastes? Neither.
Similar to those mysterious floor holes, there is a strange, but consistent pattern involving two varieties of door knobs in the house. Most are beautiful glass knobs, the others simple metal ones.

Our contractor and old house guru was the one who had the answer. Here is the story along with a few other old house facts:

While production of glass door knobs began in 1826, their popularity hit its peak during World War I when metal was in short supply. Sand, still readily available, made glass an affordable and common choice. Connecticut based Yale and Towne Manufacturing Company was one of the leaders of knob production in the United States.

Then why aren’t all the knobs glass? For one practical reason. Homes, including Branchville 1923, were coal heated. Therefore, the staff was in regular contact with soot. Rather than clean the knobs each time they entered a room, those frequently accessed rooms: the linen closet, kitchen, Butler’s pantry, and dumbwaiter, were metal knobs to disguise the dirt!

So practical!

Up next: We’re wrapping up the third floor transformation- stay tuned for all the details and the finished product!