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Show 1715 'Treasure Resto Sri yV 1 - A good example of early colonial architecture to be found in historic j Ipswich, Mass., is the John Kimball house. Restored to its original state, this home is protected by a roof of fire-resistant asphalt shingies. The John Kimball house at picturesque pic-turesque Ipswich, Mass., is a shining shin-ing gem in America's architectural heritage from colonial days. One of the fine old houses selected by Richard Pratt for a coveted place in his "A Treasury of Early American Amer-ican Homes," it was built in about 1715. Acquired in 1947 by its present owners, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Ross, the house has been restored to its original beauty and charm. Finding the Kimball house "quite unspoiled," the new owners began its restoration by removing several temporary partitions. The original rafters were uncovered and the paint removed from old Wall paneling, now rubbed to a soft finish. Huge fireplaces, which provided heat and facilities for cooking in colonial times, were reopened. re-opened. Improvements included a new roof of fire-resistant asphalt shingles. shin-gles. Owners of stately old Ipswich Ips-wich homes fully appreciate the fire protection which asphalt shin- i gles provide, Mrs. Ross points out; i as a result of a fire a Iw years back. "The train goes near us," explains Mrs. Ross, "and one building in the neighborhood was J set on fire by a spark some time I ago. Now, all the roofs are fire- J resistant." j Other renovations involved con- : struction of a concrete basement h and addition of a new kitchen I. the "L" with awnings at the win- dows seen in the picture. The ! black asphalt shingle roof pro- ' vides a pleasing contrast to the i new white siding on the front of the house, the brown shingle si'4" and white trim of the Tf - I and the red siding o- j- the house. ,'- A brick terrace, t the "L".to the end o. , was the final touch in comotium, I" the beauty and simplicity of this ( old colonial home with facilities ;? to provide the comforts and con- ; veniences of modern living. |