A new chapter is being written for a local historic property.
Ken Wright and Faith Hale purchased what’s known as the Bleak House on King Street West in downtown Chatham, and following extensive renovations and restoration, are preparing to open up two rooms as an Airbnb.
Susan Simpson with Chatham-Kent’s Municipal Heritage Committee says the 132-year-old property deserves a second chance.
“It’s great to see them given a new life,” Simpson says. “I think that’s important because retaining our buildings is crucial to retaining our heritage and our history and it’s just an important part of Chatham.”
Simpson says restoring and re-purposing historic properties is referred to as ‘adaptive reuse’ and can create a richer community, increase tourism, and promote residency attraction.
Bleak House was built in 1887 by lumberman and former mayor Herbert Albert Patterson. It was given the nickname Bleak House after Patterson filed for bankruptcy, in reference to the novel by Charles Dickens.
The two rooms that will be offered up for rent are named after characters from the novel: Summerson Suite and the Lady Honoria Room.
