The New York Times, March 15, 1931. PAGE NUMBER 165
AMONG the interesting new houses in the Larchmont section of Westchester County is that being built by Gerald J. Campbell on Campbell Lane, from plans by Joseph McCoy, New Rochelle architect.
The historic dwelling in New Rochelle formerly occupied by Thomas Paine, American patriot, was the inspiration for the new Larchmont House, of which it will be almost a replica, save for the added wing with garage space on the first floor and maid’s quarters above.
The large living room of the house has three exposures, and connects with the porch just to the right of the front door. The maid’s room may be reached from a stair in the kitchen. There are three other bedrooms on the upper floor, the master room, just above the living room, also having three exposures and an unusual amount of closet space as an added attraction.
Here is the way Mr. McCoy describes the motivating spirit and inspiration behind the plan:
“The similar names, Payne and Paine, seem to have something in common in that they were borne by the owners of two well-known early American homes. John Howard Payne was a diplomat, a writer and author of the beautiful poetic sentiment, ‘Home, Sweet Home.’
“Very fittingly the National Federation of Women’s Clubs reproduced with slight variations the ‘Home, Sweet Home’ house in Washington to stand not only as a tribute to John Howard Payne, but also as an inspiring ideal to those who desire to establish a home that is more than walls, roof and mechanical equipment. Those who are familiar with this house know that there is not a house in our whole land that more perfectly exemplifies the spirit of home.
“Hardly less charmingly quaint is the home of Thomas Paine, the great American patriot, now so well preserved in its original character and furnishings by the Huguenot Historical Association of New Rochelle.
“That homes generally reflect the temperamental characteristics of their owners or occupants is well known and, since there must be different types of people, it therefore follows that homes will always be built after different styles of architecture.
“For instance, very dignified and formal people are likely to select the Georgian style, and if they are very austere their home may be a very severe, unornamental and uncolorful type of English architecture, perhaps of the Tudor period, with high and narrow motifs. Proud social leaders often choose the Southern Colonial, with its high and noble pillars.
“The lover of woods, streams and camping will want a rustic log house with a cobblestone fireplace. Mme. Modiste with her interest in things dainty and petite will doubtless build the doll-house type with plenty of delicate color. The conservative business man, when he builds, is likely to be interested in a house that has a solid, husky, substantial character and he will choose a historical style of architecture because he believes such a home is less likely to depreciate in value than one built in some more popular and less established style.
“The successful inventor will take pleasure in directing and assisting his architect to design a house in an entirely modern style and will go in for all sorts of trick lighting, plain metal doors, windows in the corners, and every sort of mechanical device.
“Then there is that type of home builder who wants a home to live in, yes but always in the back of his mind is a desire to be in a position to give a big party like Jones does and he will be careful not to get his house too low in front, neither will he forget the billiard room and the bar.
“But most of the new houses are built or bought by people under middle-age and as there are generally children it goes for the benefit of these children. The parents wish the house to be a home in the finest sense of the word and it is with this ideal in mind that we planned the Campbell home, use the fine old house of Thomas Paine as the inspiration and model.”