PORTSMOUTH- For decades, the 1810 House has been offering a glimpse of the past through a historical collection of antiquities, local lore, and more at the former Kinney estate at 1926 Waller Street. This season, however, the establishment has been closed a little earlier, due to concerns the caretakers of history have for the state of the historic home.

The museum lies within the former Aaron Kinney homestead, who was a major developing force behind Portsmouth’s founding.

According to the 1810 House website, “The twelve Kinney children all grew to adulthood and became outstanding citizens and leaders in the Portsmouth Community. They were active in local government, banking, river transportation and business. The Kinneys were prominent in establishing All Saints Episcopal Church.

“The Aaron and Mary homestead (now the 1810 House and Museum) is a major focal point of historic preservation. Three generations of the Kinney family occupied the house: Aaron and Mary, their son Henry, and Henry’s daughter Isabel, who resided there until her death in 1946 at the age of 88.

“The Kinney legacy still exists today. There are six Kinney Homes remaining in Portsmouth: The 1810 House on Waller; Eli’s home on Court St. (the former Elk’s Club); the Peter Kinney Home on Front Street; Margaret Kinney Hall home on Second Street; Nancy Kinney Walker house is South Shore, Kentucky: and lastly, another home built by Peter Kinney after his return from a trip abroad in 1867. This home was located on Mt. Tabor above Kinney’s Lane across from Greenlawn Cemetery. All homes, with the exception of the 1810 house, are now privately owned.

“The 1810 House, the original Kinney homestead, is an outstanding example of pioneer history in Portsmouth and is one of only a few such examples now remaining.”

The collection of the 1810 House doesn’t go past the 1946 date in which a Kinney family member resided, but primarily focuses on pioneer times.

With such a respectable collection, the board rotates pieces to keep the museum fresh and alive.

“We want to save history for our community,” Lindsey Kegley said. “Everything gets torn down and we’re just trying to keep this thing up. There is so much local history and if we don’t teach it to our community and children then, well, I just don’t know. It gives you a sense of place and importance and it is worth keeping alive. We can’t forget where we came from.”

The recent closing is linked to a structural analysis performed by an engineer who states the property has troubling problems.

“We have it inspected on a regular basis and the last one gave some devastating news that the outer brick walls are starting to pull away from the house.” Kegley said. “That’s the biggest issue at this point.”

Earlier, in the spring, the board discovered a massive termite infestation causing damage as well, and they had to quickly respond to that extermination and repair.

“It’s one of those things where, when it rains, it pours. We had the house taken care of and baited properly and then discovered this problem. We are now waiting for a second opinion to tell us just how deep of a problem we have.”

The 1810 House will be closed until a final determination of damage is made and the problem is addressed. Regardless of the outcome, Kegley said she knows it is going to be an expensive endeavor to keep the history of the home alive.

“This is something that will have massive costs. We are going to have to search for grants and seek out community support to make this feasible. Regardless of what we do, there will be a lot of costs incurred. Even in getting antiques and collections safely removed and packed properly so renovation may begin. A lot will need done.”

Anyone interested in membership or in supporting their ongoing work, can donate to the 1810 House by mailing a check to p.o. box 1810. All funding will go towards their efforts in preserving the history within the house and its upkeep.

“We’re hoping for a best-case scenario and we can only leave it at that for now as we ask the community for help as we continue to learn how serious this is,” Kegley said.