The Hidden Dumbwaiter in Springside Hall –Finlayson Series

old galley kitchen- dumbwaiter was exactly where the light and handprint plaque were- it went up to the second floor to the old servants quarters inside a bedroom cupboard that is lined in steel.. Often wondered why a sheet cupboard was lined in steel.

My home Springside Hall (aka the Hi Diddle Day house) was built in different eras. The Morphy’s were no nonsense Scottish folks and a sturdy stone house in 1867 was better than having luxury.

So way before the Property Brothers existed the Crams decided to add an addition in the late 1800s early 1900s. A dining room and a galley kitchen was built as well as a servants quarters on the second level.

When we bought the house in 1981 there was still push button lighting, and we knew there had been a dumbwaiter in the galley kitchen. We noticed that a long time ago it went up to the former servants quarters and there was a wooden call button in the master bedroom at a height and location which would be within easy reach from their bed, but we could not find it even when we gut the galley kitchen walls during the fire in 1995.

If you are following my series on Richard Finlayson who once visited Springside Hall as a child on Lake Avenue East he has answered some of my questions. So I asked him if he remembered the dumbwaiter.

Upper second floor bedroom-old galley kitchen- dumbwaiter went up to the second floor to the old servants quarters inside a bedroom cupboard that is lined in steel.. Often wondered why a sheet cupboard was lined in steel.

Richard Finlayson

I do remember the dumb waiter. We were specifically reminded not to touch it as kids! I remember it having chains and pulleys. I am guessing the location of the dumb waiter would be as you stated. My mother has hazy recall of it being in kitchen as do I.

Dumbwaiters were most often used to move dishes and food when the kitchen and dining room were on different levels of the house. It is hard to keep up with the history of an older house when years of renovations have occurred. So I thank Richard Finlayson for these historical tidbits.

read--Old school dumbwaiter

Dumbwaiter Calamities of Crockery

A Houseful of Whimsy- Springside Hall 1982

Do You have a Hidden Room in Your Home?

What Did Adam Dowdall Find in My Carleton Place Yard?

The Sundial of Springside Hall

Then and Now Springside Hall 1920s-1930s Photos

Reusing the Past of Carleton Place — The Morphy’s and the McCann’s

October 13, 1977 George W. Raeburn of Lake Ave East— Artist and C. P. R. Man

My Neighbours –Photos of the Cliff- McCann House and Springside Hall

Update on the Time Capsule in Springside Hall

The Spirits Are Alive and Well

They Once Lived in My Home– The Cram Children — Margaret — Angeline “Babe” and Arthur

They Once Lived in My Home– Arthur Cram

The Morphy Cram House — Springside Hall

The Hi- Diddle-Day House of Carleton Place – Puppets on a String

Glory Days in Carleton Place– Linda Seccaspina

So Where Does the Water come from Under my House?

The Ghost Lovers of Springside Hall – A True Love Story

Do You have an Archaeological Find in Your Carleton Place Basement?

Feeling Groovy by the Lake Ave East Bridge

October 13, 1977 George W. Raeburn of Lake Ave East— Artist and C. P. R. Man

What if You Had a Fire and No One Came?

Just Another Day in Fawlty Towers — Part 2 — To Hell and Back

Just Another Day in Fawlty Towers

Dumbwaiter Calamities of Crockery

While You Were Sleeping —-The Storyland Bunny Moves to the Hi Diddle Day House

The Case of the Disappearing Back Staircase — Springside Hall — Finlayson Series