Wicks House  - 124 Jewett

Henrik Borgstrom and Donna DeCarolis first purchased their Victorian Half Timber home in 2001.  It was built in 1890 and some of the real standouts are the decorative dentil moldings, carved woodwork, pocket doors, an elaborate plaster ceiling in the dining room, and the large fireplace in the sitting room along with the leaded glass you will see throughout this beautiful home.  The largest of the many home projects include:  Tearing off the shingle roof and replacing it with historically accurate slate; removing ugly vinyl replacement windows with architecturally accurate wood windows and completely refurbishing the 1950’s era swimming pool.  Henrik and Donna really enjoy the sunroom, especially in the winter when it is flooded with light.  They also spend a lot of time in front of the wood fire in the kitchen and in the living room.  The second floor veranda is great for relaxing summer evenings, enjoying the view of their back gardens.  

The original owner was William Sydney Wicks.  Wicks was a prominent architect at the end of the 19^th and beginning of the 20^th centuries. He was a senior partner with E.B. Green in firm ‘Wicks and Green’.   He designed this city house for himself and his family who lived in the house for about 40 years.  Wicks also had a large estate near Barneveld, NY, where he engaged in experimental fish culture.  He was a recognized expert in log-cabin architecture, and designed a large number of large-scale cottages in and around the Adirondacks.  Wicks was the Buffalo Park Commissioner from 1897-1900, and was a strong promoter of the Olmsted Park System and the Parkside neighborhood.

In the 1960’s and 70’s the house was occupied by a hippie commune with a front door always open policy!