The Refour House

The Refour House. . This reproduction of the Refour House is a perfect example of the Waldensians domestic architecture uninfluenced by American building traditions. The original still stands on the eastern end of town and combines home and barn into one structure. , Upon the Refours' arrival in Burke County, a wooden structure like the Tron House was put up quickly for basic shelter from the fast approaching winter. Shortly thereafter, in typical Waldensian style, two-foot thick walls were constructed of fieldstone. The house has a wide, shallow fireplace, unlike its American counterparts. Three stories high, the house provided a living area for the family on the second floor and sleeping quarters on the top floor. The basement housed their animals on one end and a wine cellar on the other. , In the Old Country having house and barn together had practical value. It conserved ground space for farming, provided better protection for the animals in the event of avalanches or deep snows, and the animal heat helped warm the living quarters above. After realizing the snows were not coming, the early settlers put their animals out to pasture., The portrait above the fireplace in this exhibit home is of Mr. and Mrs. Francois Refour. Their daughter Anna, (pictured in the white dress to the left of her parents) was born in the original home in 1918 and lives in the family home adjacent to the original house still. She visits the Trail of Faith at least once a year, typically at our July 4th Celebration and brings us more artifacts to be displayed ïn our exhibit home each time.