Lewis Manor

The last Lewis names to live in the manor were Douglas Lewis and Thornton Lewis, however in 1838 the house leaves the ownership of the Lewis family. According to the National Register of Historical Places “Up until 1915, Lewis Manor changed hands four times, and in 1915 was sold by Colonel E. B. Ellis to Mr. Thomas Smith and his wife Catherine.” Thomas Smith, owned the house until 1934 and he renamed it Kilmore. From 1934 until 1950 Victor Fister owned the Lewis Manor but sold it to Mr. Dan Rice. The Rice family retains ownership of the house currently, and that owner is Mrs. Ada Rice. The Lewis Manor follows a language of architectural care set forth by Clay Lancaster. The National Register of historic places states "Free planning of the wings," states architectural historian Clay Lancaster, "seems to have been prompted by the fulfillment of immediate needs, rattier than the desire to impress through adherence to formal balance". There are three wings; one to the east and two to the left of the main block and a kitchen unit recessed from the west wing. The central block interior contains a central hall with two chambers to each side. The double parlors to the right of the hall are connected by small double doors; each marked with the witch's cross. There is a fireplace in both chambers to the left of the hall with panelled presses built into the wall at the right of the fireplace in the back parlor. Two steps off the back left parlor lead down to a passageway that gives entrance to a bedroom in the connecting wing between the main structure and another wing in which there are two bedrooms.”