Historic Wunmore House

53921 State Highway 30, Roxbury, NY 12474

$630,000

2,974 SQ/FT - 4 BR, 3 BTH - 0.35 ACRES

ACTIVE

Open House Grand Launch - Friday, June 12th at 3:30 to 5:00 PM

Contact Ben Holscher to schedule your tour! - (607) 376-7505 call/text

“Wunmore” is derived from the builder’s name and his choice to build yet another house. J. More Preston had already put up several houses in Roxbury and in 1867 decided to build “one more” using the materials left over from the others — hence was born the inimitable Wunmore.

By the early 1900s, Historic Wunmore was purchased by Helen Gould Shepard, daughter of Jay Gould - industrial magnate of the late 1800s and one of the richest men in America. Available for the first time in a generation, this Victorian cornerstone of Roxbury was used as a summer house for Helen Gould Shephard's daughter, Helen Anna Shepard, then passing to Anna's son, John Shepard. Helen Gould Shepard owned Kirkside Estate, now known as Kirkside Park, the grounds of which are adjacent to Wunmore. John Shepard eventually sold the house to Norma Van Mingroot in 1990, who were patrons of the arts and pillars of the community.

This victorian gem is imbued with heritage, artistry, and beauty. The central staircase is widely considered the most elegant and beautiful in the region and the pristine original claw foot tub is one of only three still in the town. A large stately home with high ceilings and large windows, it features 4-bedrooms, 3-bathrooms, and 3,000 usable square feet on a large town lot on Main Street in the uniquely quaint town of Roxbury, NY. Inside, abundant natural light highlights the hardwood floors and a breathtaking winding staircase. The first floor features a formal living room and dining room, each with a fireplace (propane and wood respectively). A cozy eat-in kitchen with custom cabinetry, a large island, double oven, and oversized windows above the sink. Also on the main level are a bright office and an expansive sunroom - famously used for Norma's springtime parties. Upstairs there are four generous bedrooms, including a primary suite with an ensuite bathroom, an additional sunroom, and attic access via an original staircase. Outside, a quaint covered front porch is perfect for warm summer evenings.

Wunmore uniquely combines the charm of Roxbury and the quality construction of the Gilded Age. Wunmore is truly one-of-a-kind!

2% Buyer Agency Commission offered to the cooperating broker. The buyer broker commission becomes due and payable to the buyer's agent upon transfer of title.

WUNMORE
A Brief History
Compiled by Ben Holscher
53921 State Highway 30, Roxbury, New York
Construction and Name
Wunmore was built around 1867 by J. More Preston, who probably constructed it himself. He was a son of Liberty Preston, who had built the neighboring house known as Kirkside in 1865. Liberty Preston was the elder son of Major-General Otis Preston of “Pleasant Valley” (later Hardscrabble), and his first wife was Betsey T. More, eldest daughter of Jonas More.
According to John Shepard and “The History of the Town of Roxbury” (Irma Mae Griffin), the house received a humorous name, incorporating a pun from the builder’s name and the choice to build another house. J. More Preston had already put up several houses in Roxbury and decided to build “one more” using the materials left over from the others —hence Wunmore.
The Property Description - Original Deed
The parcel is a small lot of 56 square rods situated in the Town of Roxbury, County of Delaware, State of New York, fronting the highway now known as State Highway 30. As described in the deed, it begins at the southeasterly corner of J. G. Bouton’s land at the center of the highway and is bounded on the west by the lands of Liberty Preston, running roughly 12½ rods deep by 4½ rods along the road.
Chain of Ownership
The documented chain of title runs as follows:
- J. More Preston (builder, c. 1867) conveyed the premises to Nettie Herdman by warranty deed dated March 7, 1912, recorded March 8, 1912 (Book 164 of Deeds, p. 38).
- Arthur F. and Lulu C. Bouton conveyed the same premises to Helen G. Shepard by deed dated May 8, 1918, recorded May 16, 1918 (Book 180 of Deeds, p. 110).
- The property passed from Helen Gould Shepard to her daughter, Helen Anna Shepard, who devised it to her son John Shepard under her will dated May 29, 1968 (probated March 15, 1971; Book 61 of Wills, p. 58-1).
- John Shepard sold the property by deed dated September 27, 1990, recorded the same day (Liber 721 of Deeds, p. 424). Per Nancy Mattice, the 1990 buyers were Laurence DeMarco and Norma Van Mingroot.
The Jay Gould and Helen Gould Connection
The Shepard owners were descendants of the financier Jay Gould, who was born in Roxbury. The Gould lineage came through Helen Gould’s marriage to Finley Shepard. They adopted Helen Anna Shepherd who had a son, John Shepard who was the great grandson of Jay Gould, and who held the house in the mid-twentieth century. Nancy Mattice recalls that Wunmore served as the Shepherd family’s summer home and stood adjacent to Kirkside, the Goulds’ primary Roxbury estate.
Notable Features
Drawing on Nancy Mattice’s recollections from her years caring for the house:
- The staircase is regarded by many locals as the most impressive and beautiful of any house in Roxbury.
- The home retains one of only three original cast-iron tubs in the area, located in the first-floor bathroom.
- Local craftsman Richard Thompson handled the home’s remodels and updates over roughly the past 30 years.
Stewardship
Nancy Mattice served as Norma’s caretaker and helped care for Wunmore for approximately 32 years.
Sources
- Irma Mae Griffin, The History of the Town of Roxbury (1954; republished 1974 and 1994).
- Property deed, Town of Roxbury, Delaware County, NY (chain-of-title recitals as cited above).
- Recollections of Nancy Mattice, caretaker (approximately 32 years).
- Recollection of John Shepard (origin of the name).