Christine's Rumford

Christine's Bed & Breakfast
Christine & Steve Kelsey - Innkeepers
325 North Plain Road, Route 41
Housatonic, Massachusetts (MA) 01236
800 536 1186 or 413 274 6149 (fax 413 274 6296)
innkeepers@christinesinn.com

From: "christine"
To: "Jim Buckley"
Subject: Re: Rumford fireplace
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003
Dear Jim,
Sorry it has taken me so long to respond to your questions. I enjoyed your website and all of the information on Count Rumford and his fireplaces. To answer your questions, the throat is rounded, although beause of a chimney fire we had some time ago, the cofiguration was somewhat "flattened" by the damper shape as it was installed after the fire. The surrounding construction is of marble and granite (both of local natural origin). The fire back is flat for 75% of the back wall of the fireplace the last 25% is slightly pitched forward, but not much. The firebox dimensions are 45" high by 51" wide and front to back 16". It is, as you say, "Rumfordized" maybe. However it is very efficient and radiates heat very well into the room. In this area of Massachusetts there are several similar fireplaces in many homes of this age. I would be interested in any other information you have to share about these wonderful fireplaces. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Steve Kelsey Christine's B & B
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Buckley"
To:
Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003
Subject: Rumford fireplace
> Christine & Steve,
>
> I'm interested in the history of the Rumford fireplace pictured at
> http://www.christinesinn.com/history.html It sure looks like a
> Rumford but you imply that it's original to the house built in 1780
> which, of course, is some 16 years before Rumford had anything to say
> about fireplaces. Probably the fireplace was "Rumfordized" some time
> after 1796 and it would be interesting to know the historical details
> as well as the physical details. I'd like to know, for example, if
> the throat is rounded and the fireback straight or slanted forward.
> I'd also like to know the material used for the surround and hearth
> extension.
>
> Thanks for indulging my interest.
>
> Best,
> Jim Buckley