A laser physicist and his wife have completely renovated a historic mansion in New Ipswich, thanks to a little help from the community.
Built in 1890, the home on 79 Academy Road and 54 Manley Road is an intricate maze of 25 rooms, four full baths, two attics, a butler’s pantry and numerous corridors. Ron Schaeffer, 65, and his wife Joann, 63, are the current owners of property, a retired couple from Mason who enjoy buying fixer-uppers and renovating them in their spare time.
According to Ron, the couple purchased the 6 1/2-acre property five years ago and immediately got to work. During the renovation process, Ron hired Mascenic High School students to help him improve the large space, teaching them electrical, plumbing, foundation and painting skills along the way. Joann said the house has made a complete flip since they made the renovations.
“When we first bought it, it was like a haunted house. The windows were broken and when the wind was howling, it was scary. But now, it’s absolutely gorgeous,” said Joann.
On the outside, the house is painted a bright yellow that catches a person’s attention driving by. On the inside, the home is painted with neutral colors, and stone and iron antiques are placed on the first and second floors, including lions, cherubs and a marble nude statue.
A few of the bedrooms are decorated with antique wooden frames, and the large windows in each room provide an abundant amount of natural light. Joann and Ron also created their own decor, taking old sewing machines and converting them into night stands using slabs of granite. The two kitchens are newly renovated, and the old fireplaces scattered throughout the house provide a rustic look to the interior. Many of the bedrooms have small corridors that lead to hidden spaces or nearby rooms. Behind the kitchen sits a butler’s pantry, a small space used to prepare food and drinks for the kitchen guests behind closed doors.
Ron said the large space is nothing short of impressive.
“This house is so big, you don’t need any more rooms,” said Ron.
The couple had purchased the property with the goal of either flipping the property or renting out the space for tenants. But due to COVID-19 complications, the mansion sits almost dormant, and just one tenant currently occupies one of the 25 rooms available. Amid the pandemic’s challenges, Ron used his guitar to spread positivity in the community.
“During COVID, people would gather on the front porch to hear him play,” said Joann.
According to Ron, several buyers have expressed interest in the property, but he said the plan is to hold onto the historic mansion in the meantime.
“The upkeep isn’t bad because everything is brand new,” said Ron. “I don’t have a sense of urgency to sell this house.”