Old house, new owner. House served as a learning center for preservation trades students

July 13, 2013

Old house, new owner - House served as a learning center for preservation trades students

By Mary Lou Montgomery

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Aimee Hosmer is the now owner of the historic Van Swearingen House, located on North Fourth Street in Hannibal. It was restored by the historic preservation trades class at Hannibal High School, led by Bob Yapp of Preservation Resources, Inc. COURIER-POST FILE PHOTO.

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Aimee Hosmer can't believe her good fortune. Friday, after she and her family spent their first night in their new house, she drank her morning coffee while seated on the porch and enjoying an enviable view of the Mississippi River.

"I like the feel of Hannibal's downtown area, and this house is perfect for me," she said.

The house, constructed in 1844 for the Van Swearingen family, was donated to the Mark Twain Museum Foundation, and restored by the historic preservation trades class at Hannibal High School, led by Bob Yapp of Preservation Resources, Inc.

Hosmer and her brother previously rented an apartment in the downtown area, and she is happy she didn't have to leave downtown in order to find affordable and renovated housing.

She has named the new home "RiverHearth" and will soon post a plaque on the home's exterior denoting this moniker. "River, because it has a view of the river," she explained, "and hearth represents life, family, friends and home.

"I can still walk to school," said the first grade teacher, and to Java Jive, "My favorite coffee house."

In a story she found about the house's first owner, Thomas Van Swearingen, he described the area as a "pleasant neighborhood," and she said that still holds true today.

She is a student of history, and her vast book collection is already in place on bookshelves throughout the house. Antiques and modern furniture meld into her own personal style in the home's interior. Upstairs, she uses an old fireplace hearth as a headboard, and has an area designated as her library.

"This is a wonderful house," she said, "it was just waiting for me to buy it."

This project was made possible by partnerships with Preservation Resources Inc., BASF, Hannibal National Bank, Linda Clark, the George H. Riedel Private Foundation, Hannibal Homestore, Sutherlands, Lowes, John Michael Originals and the Mark Twain Association of Realtors.

The Mark Twain Association of Realtors agreed to lead the sale of the Van Swearingen House. Prestige Realty agent Kristy Trevathan, also a member of the Mark Twain Home Foundation Board, served as the listing and selling agent and is donating her portion of the commission back to the foundation.

The house was donated to the Mark Twain Home Foundation by Martin Zehr and Susan Ikazaki.