A Holiday Open House will be held at the Historic R. B. Rogers House (707 Center) from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, November 24th to raise funds for a few local nonprofit organizations in Brownwood.
Proceeds from the open house will benefit the Pearl Griffin Memorial Latchkey program, Pecan Valley Domestic Violence Shelter (the ARK), and the Rufus F. Hardin Museum.
Tickets are offered for $10 with all proceeds being donated and are available at the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce, Early Chamber of Commerce, Hamilton’s, or by calling 325-642-2779. Attendees will be served light refreshments during the open house event.
Below is a short history and description of the home provided its current owner Mette Anne Lundsgaard.
The Historic R. B. Rogers Home, located at 707 Center Street in Brownwood, underwent a two year restoration which has returned this home to its original style and elegance. The home is a three-story 6500 square foot home which was built in 1905 for Robert Baker Rogers, a native of Kentucky, and his wife Elvirah Elizabeth. Robert was the owner of a dry goods store in Brownwood and other nearby cities; Elvirah was the first piano teacher at Howard Payne College.
The home is constructed of buff-colored brick with two-story cypress columns supporting its central portico. The main entrance, defined by the circular extension of the portico, is recessed and features a large single door with beveled glass sidelights under a broad fanlight transom. Original stain glass windows decorate the second and third floor.
The interior has remained virtually unchanged over the past 100 years. Four large rooms flank the first floor central hall. The original sliding pockets doors are in place. When opened, the entire first floor is transformed into a large open space.
The house retains its original parquet floors, with a different style in each room. Three fireplaces retain their original tile and carved wood mantels. The radiators and central vacuum system are still in place.
A symmetrical staircase leads to the second floor, where four bedrooms flank a large sitting room.
The Rogers house also retains two original outbuildings, the servant cottage and the chicken coop.
The house stayed in the Rogers family after his death in 1935, passing to his wife Elvirah until her death in 1955. The Rogers’ only child, Ruth Rogers Bettes of Houston donated it to the First Presbyterian Church in 1957. Subsequent owners were Winifred Weakley (1967); Charles and Francis Lockwood (1972) and Lee and Cheryl Haney (1988).
The current Owner, Mette Anne Lundsgaard, purchased the home in 2011 and has worked with local artists and craftsmen to restore the home to its former glory. From the front, the most telling renovations are the replacement of the balusters and railing, direct copies of original pieces found in the attic. Another significant aspect on the front of the house is the leaded glass windows facing Center Avenue. All were reconstructed of original glass pieces found throughout the home.
The wood floors have been restored on each floor. Period style wallpaper has been installed in all rooms, following the method of wood siding layered with cloth then paper, which was common before plaster walls. Historic light fixtures adorn all the rooms on the first floor.
The cottage at the rear of the house has also been updated and is now a one-bedroom rental unit. The original chicken coop has been repaired and is ready for use.
Mark your calendar and enjoy this Holiday Open House while also supporting the Pearl Griffin Memorial Latchkey program, Pecan Valley Domestic Violence Shelter (the ARK), and the Rufus F. Hardin Museum.
Pictured above is the historic R. B. Rogers Home. Below are photos of the interior.
