September Speaker Describes How a Symbol of Hudson’s Past Rose From the Ashes

Thursday, September 14, 7:00pm at Barlow Community Center

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A house fire is always devastating for its inhabitants. A fire that consumes a structure dating back 140 years with a storied history and deep connections to a community’s past presents challenges to the owner that are almost beyond comprehension.  Those are the challenges audience members will learn about when they attend the upcoming meeting of Hudson Heritage Association, to be held at Barlow Community Center on September 14.

The September meeting will feature John and DeeDee Bedell, whose home at 3007 Hudson-Aurora Road was struck by a catastrophic fire in June 2020.  Most of the 1880 structure was lost, forcing the couple to determine how to rebuild in a way that would honor the home’s architectural past, including finding the partners to help them recreate an 1880s home in the 2020s. 

Known as the Elisha M. Ellsworth House, the home was built and then occupied by members of the Ellsworth family for more than 80 years.  Elisha and his wife Emma were related to some of Hudson’s earliest residents. Elisha’s father was the uncle of James Ellsworth, who was responsible for Hudson’s revitalization in the early 20th century.

John Bedell will describe the aftermath of the fire and assessment of the damage, as well as the process the couple undertook to salvage as much as possible from the house in order to incorporate it into a new structure.  He will describe the team they assembled to design and build the new home, as well as the countless decisions they made with the 1880 home in mind as the work progressed. 

Diccon Ong, co-president of Hudson Heritage Association noted, “The story the Bedells will tell underscores how fragile the historical structures of Hudson are. John and DeeDee Bedell are to be commended for the extraordinary efforts they took to replicate something our community lost when they easily could have opted to replace it with a 21^st century design instead.” The September 14 meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m., marks the beginning of HHA’s 2023-2024 programming season. The meeting is free and open to the public; refreshments will be served following the presentation.