A while back, I posted about Doug finding some amazing things in the wall. If you missed that post, you can check it out here.
Here’s the book coming out of the wall a the baseboard level :
The thing we found that I loved the most, is this piece of practice music. The book was blank staff paper, and this page was filled with key signatures being practiced.
If you don’t remember, I’m a high school band director and conductor. So the idea that anything to do with music, makes me know that this room is absolutely supposed to be my space.
There is also a lot of practicing of handwriting going here, for Paul Murray.
Paul Murray’s father, Henry Murray. built our house in 1902, along with his wife, Lucy. Lucy died (presumably in the house) of “consumption,” or tuberculosis in 1909. Another paper we found in the wall from Paul was dated in 1904, so we assume that this music is from that time period, as well.
Paul was born in 1892, and only lived until the age of 25. His health became ill when he was 23, and he had tubercular meningitis, similar to his mother, as well as typhoid fever in the end. He died in 1917. His father, Paul Murray, had a heart attack 6 years later, and also passed away.
If you want to read their obituaries, you can fine Paul’s here, and Henry’s here. Both of their obituaries were on the front pages of the paper, so they were a big enough deal for that.
If it WAS 1904 when this music exercise was written, Paul would have been 11 or 12 at the time.
I took the page to our local framer in town, Generation Art and Frame. I do a lot of framing myself, but when it comes to super special things, I love them and trust them and want them involved.
Mainly, because when I say things like “It’s very important to preserve all the dirt and grime at the bottom. Can you make sure we see that?” The response is “Absolutely. We NEED to see that.”
We need to see it, y’all. It’s part of the story.
I tried out several mats and frames, and decided on this very cool green and gold frame. I struggled a little bit. This is going in my studio, and I love how the green is going to play with the wallpaper. But I DID hesitate, because this piece belongs to the house, and when I’ve passed away (preferably NOT from consumption), this needs to stay here. So I was tempted to go more neutral, buy NAH. This is beautiful and I love it.
Yup. This is the combo.
Let me tell you, this is a little hard to photograph, but I did my best.
LOOK AT THE GREEN WITH THE GREEN IN THE WALLPAPER.
I wonder if Paul loved music. I wonder if he hated it. I wonder where the piano was in the house. I wonder if he liked practicing, or complained all the time when he had to. I wonder who Ralph is. Lots of things that I won’t know the answers to, but I love that this little piece of him is going from inside the walls, to showcased ON the walls.
What an incredible find and tribute to Paul. You taste in colors is such a delight, every time I think it can’t be any better, you find something to just knock it out of the park! Thank you for sharing with all of us.
So sweet and touching Amy!
WOW, just WOW. I so love following along . This post caught me sentimentally. Saving the house is a giant action for history, but saving this sheet with the history of it just knocks my socks off . How wonderful of and for you & we the readers and those who come after you.
This gave me chills! This is really touching, and I love the green frame!
I think obituaries are very interesting. I went to Find A Grave website and found 25 Murray’s in the Greenlawn Cemetery.
So much information to be found in an obituary.
I love the green and gold frame. I think it would surprise you how good it looks in other rooms.
This is lovely in every way.
THis is so special and my gosh it looks amazing- I love the way you pick and mix colors. That is a gift!
Peggy R.
This is so perfect. I love it. And that green! Also I’m fully caught up now. No guarantees it stays that way, but I’ll try.