Kent preserves historic homes, ensures rich history

By Nadia Assim and Neville Hardman

More than 800 homes in Kent are historic, put into an in-depth inventory announced an a Dec. 2 Kent city council meeting.

The home owned by the Kent Historical Society at their permanent location has ties to the Kent family, but their spot on Main Street was not their original location.

“We renovated and were located up in their towers,” Julie Kenworthy, director of the Kent Historical Society, said, pointing to the upper level in a painting of the old building, now where The Pufferbelly Ltd resides, that greets visitors when they walk through the front door of the Kent Historical Society.

The Kent Historical Society had a second location on Water Street after they moved from the towers, but they had more items than space, Kenworthy said.

“We outgrew that space as well and the opportunity came up to buy this building, and finding the connection to the Kent family, it was just ideal,” she said.

Expenses and upkeep

Fred Moore, the custodian of the Masonic Temple and a fellow mason, maintains both the inside and outside of the property. Built by Marvin Kent, for whom the city was named, in 1880 and completed by 1884, the creation of this building began when he was 60.

“That was old back then, but he built this to give back to the community because he was successful in many businesses in Kent,” Moore said.

Moore attempts to wash the woodwork with his wife, who also helps clean the building, once a year, but it’s been two since last washed, he said.

Even though the building is historic, the owners don’t receive money from the city of Kent since the property is privately-owned. The amount of upkeep needed is left to the discretion of the owners. Since the building is larger, Moore spends a longer time getting through everything, such as the six bedrooms on the second floor. The ceilings are 12 foot high and intricate woodwork throughout the building, which makes the place harder to clean than an average home, he said.

Historic properties are typically more costly, mostly due to maintenance, as repairs are needed more often than a standard house, Moore said. The boiler, for example, was recently replaced, he said.