The Wilder’s Home

May 9

Chapter 6

The Dark Purple Catawba Crepe Myrtles were beginning to bloom into glory around the Wilder’s home.

When Addy’s great-grandparents built the Arts and Crafts house in 1915, they were planted to compliment the rich grey, green and deep sand colors of their Baldwin Park house. The Wilder family had now occupied the home for four generations. It retained the same colors palate each time it was painted.

The Wilder’s yard had been a source of pride and was featured on numerous garden tours. The house was south facing on a large double lot. The yard and gardens were professionally landscaped when it was built. Mr. Wilder served on the Savannah Parks Commission and knew all the best landscapers in town.

The landscaper crafted his design to provide both beauty and comfort. Live Oaks were planted for summer shade and the perennial gardens had vegetables mixed in. The house was quite progressive in design due to the fact it had a high step on the end of the porch to accommodate disembarking from their 1915 Ford Model T. The lot also had a detached “auto shed.”

The front porch ran the width of the house. It had a prerequisite swing as well as woven rattan settee, chairs and an iron table. As was the custom, the Wilders spent a great deal of time outdoors and took advantage of the breezes.

Most of the year. windows were left open from the living room that was next to the porch. From the early 1920’s, they would sit out there listen to the radio. Addy remembered hearing stories about the wonderful old shows such as Amos ‘n’ Andy and the spine-chilling Creaking Door.

Neighbors would stroll by walking their dogs. pushing a pram or taking in the fresh air. They would come to the porch and stop for lemonade and exchange the latest gossip and news or just sit and listen to the radio. Great Grandmother Wilder always had the Tomato Conserve in the cupboard and cream cheese in the “icebox” for a quick treat for their guests. After all, it was what one did.