Healing Spirits at Cobblestone Springs

A Contemporary Vision Redefines Historic Spence Home and Surgery 

Dr. Henry Spence brought in Irish stonemasons from the Rochester area — men who had crafted renowned cobblestone homes in Monroe County — to build his family’s residence and surgery. Stones were shipped down from Sodus Point to Starkey Point on Seneca Lake, then hauled inland by ox teams. The stones on the front face of the house are all red cobbles from Lake Superior; varicolored stones on the other walls are from Lake Ontario; lintels, sills, and quoins are grey limestone. Four chimneys, with flues for stoves on all three floors, warmed the interior.

In the hills above the western shores of Seneca Lake sits a beautiful Greek Revival cobblestone house surrounded by rolling farmland. Dr. Henry Spence, a pioneer in cataract surgery, built the house in the 1840s as the Spence homestead and to serve his patients. Generations of the Spence family grew up there, and although the house has changed hands over the intervening years, participants in its resurrection – as Cobblestone Springs Retreat and Renewal Center – include Spence’s descendants. The house speaks to an aura of health and healing – from its original intent to its current incarnation. It has suffered insult and injury along the way yet now stands as a testament to endurance and vitality. 

In 1978, the Spence House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Then-owner Robert Spence enjoyed showing its unusual features to guided tours of Cobblestone Society members and other visitors. Yates County has only eleven such structures, of the more than 700 in western New York. The Spence House is believed to be the farthest south of all of them. 

In the 1980s, a literal vision led current owner Jan Carr on a search for “a simple place of peace, a place and time where all could share the miracle of our oneness.” The old cobblestone house she spotted in 1992 had seen better days and was up for auction. First miracle: No one else bid! Jan found herself owner of the neglected 5,000 square foot house, interior unseen, and the equally neglected 16-acre property that surrounded it. All the woes that historic property owners are heir to landed on the shoulders of Jan Carr and friends who rallied to help. So began a labor of love that will see her and others through the rest of their lifetimes. 

Helpers assisted with a flooded basement and crumbling floors; there was ancient plumbing and wiring to replace and masonry to patch and point up. Antique furnishings and fixtures were rescued from oblivion from attics and trash heaps and restored to service. Over the years, dozens of volunteers worked to bring the home into the 20th century and, now, the 21st, with a new water system, solar power, and updated appliances and fixtures. Eileen Curtis and Mary Michalec working below the kitchen floor, 1999 work between and the kitchen today.

After more than 25 years of restoration effort and quiet development, this nonprofit center for renewal is moving forward with an expanding vision  for service. In reevaluating its operations during 2019, Cobblestone Springs Board members conducted surveys and held brainstorming sessions to set new directions. The group identified four major themes to provide focal points: community, creativity, nature, and spirituality. In the fall of 2020, new programs touched on each of these four “pillars,” and it soon became apparent that each program encompassed all themes. 

Recent programming that incorporates the four “pillars” of the group’s service vision have included: An October 2020 workshop on Building Native American Style Flutes — with ten participants, many of whom are still playing.
Introductory bookbinding offered participants the opportunity to create their own simple journal booklets while learning the basic techniques used by all artisans who handcraft books. Deb Stevens presented this class.
The first cautious in-person program of 2021 was a meditation in early June, with “singing bowls” by Sandy Steigerwald.
Drawing programs by Kristin Malone followed.

A few carefully designed workshops, some outdoors and all with masks and distancing, kept up the momentum with some down time during the winter months. Opened or closed, renovations continue!

The arrival of spring and its cooperative weather has allowed Cobblestone Springs to resume outdoor programming and limited hospitality. Jennifer Randol, hired as managing director in April 2021, has already rekindled energy and enthusiasm at the cobblestone mansion and drawn in new presenters and new participants. Because of Jenny’s fondness for history and antiques, she was fascinated by the place before she set foot inside. A seeker, she has been exploring diverse approaches to spirituality, world religions, and philosophy, making Cobblestone Springs a perfect match. She brings a willingness to learn and a variety of skills to a task that will require all of them! “Come for a tour,” she invites, “we’re always happy to show off this wonderful site!”

Today, the many people involved with Cobblestone Springs — its members and volunteers — are moving forward with renewed energy, finding joy in gradually overcoming the restrictions of COVID and taking on new projects. 

Buildings and grounds projects are often a collaborative effort with staff and volunteers helping out.The arrival of a new large gazebo in summer 2020 meant a move for this smaller gazebo. Now guests may enjoy two screened sitting areas, both within easy walking distance from the house. As with interior remodeling, grounds work is done in-house whenever possible.
A dedicated pollinator garden is taking shape, thanks to the efforts of Ginger Goyer (left), here looking things over with Jan Carr. Ginger is providing plants and labor as her contribution to the beauty and educational value of the grounds at Cobblestone Springs. New signage, maps, and outreach efforts will extend Cobblestone’s invitation to more retreat guests and visitors.

With vaccines beginning to lessen COVID’s impact, Cobblestone Springs is looking forward to welcoming people onto the property to enjoy the trails, stay in the house, and share this wonderful space! [For more on the trails, see “Fantastic Flora” on page 18.] 

“Adaptive reuse” is the phrase historians use for reclaiming old buildings. The labor of many hands during more than 25 years has likely bought this marvelous building another century of life, service, history to share, and new history to create. That’s the best miracle of all!

Contact Cobblestone Springs if you would like to volunteer or are interested in learning more about upcoming programming.

Cobblestone Springs
4306 Lakemont-Himrod Road
Dundee, NY 14837
(607)243-8212
E-Mail: cobblestonespringsrc@gmail.com
Facebook / Instagram @ Cobblestone Springs

Cobblestone Springs is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization; donations made to Cobblestone Springs are tax-deductible.

This article was a collaborative effort of Cobblestone Springs. All photos not otherwise credited were provided courtesy of Cobblestone Springs.

Correction: An earlier (and in print) caption for the house mistakenly listed the Spence who had the house built in the 1840s as Dr. Robert Spence. It was Dr. Henry Spence who was the Doctor and earliest resident (Robert Spence owned and live in the house in the 1970s).

Posted on July 9, 2021 by . This entry was posted in Finger Lakes, History and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.