The Robards House

A journey through time

These photographs tell the story of the Robards family and the home they cherished, offering a glimpse into life from 1880s through the 1920s. The Robards House was more than just a residence—it was a place where family memories were made, milestones were celebrated, and generations grew together. As you explore the images, you'll see both the people who lived here and the changes the house and surrounding community experienced over the years.

All Photos
1900s

Two people in hats sit in an old-fashioned car parked in a wooded area, with a large canoe tied across the top of the car. Tall grass and trees surround the scene.

Cecile Bernad Robards

Cecile Bernad Robards

The Robards House about 1900. Note the original front porch.

The Robards House about 1900. Note the original front porch.

Robards Family Portrait

Robards Family Portrait

Cecile Robards with children

Cecile Robards with children

Sepia-toned portrait of a young man in a military uniform, framed with a green border and an embossed emblem below the photo, set against a tan background.

Hugh "Pat" Robards in uniform.

Klara Peterson photographed in about 1924.

Klara Peterson photographed in about 1924.

An old, faded photo of a man sitting on the grass next to a young girl in a dress, with trees and a brick building in the background on a sunny day.

Two women in early 20th-century clothing, both wearing hats, stand outdoors. One wears a long coat and the other a blouse and skirt. Both appear to be holding cigarettes. Bushes and sky are in the background.

Three women in early 20th-century dresses and hats stand on a ship deck, posing for the camera. Large industrial equipment and ship rails are visible in the background.

Six people—three men and three women—sit and stand together in a dimly lit, vintage room with patterned wallpaper, a framed picture, and a rocking chair visible in the background.

Two children stand in front of a brick house with a porch. One child holds a bundle, and trees are visible in the background. The image is faded and sepia-toned.

A woman plays piano with sheet music while a young child sits in a chair holding a doll in a vintage living room. A ball is on the floor, and framed pictures hang on the walls. The scene feels old-fashioned and homey.

A sepia photo shows a man and a young child doing laundry together in a rustic kitchen. The child hands the man a cloth over a bucket. “Helping Dada” is handwritten at the bottom of the photo.

Christmas 1918

Christmas 1918

Christmas 1918

Christmas 1918

A man helps a young boy feed chickens in a grassy yard with trees, a fence, and chicken coops in the background. The scene appears old and is in black and white.

A vintage cutout photo of a young boy holding a baby girl dressed in a bonnet. The background is dark, and faint handwriting below reads, “Jerry and his girl.”.

A person sits in a rowboat on a calm river, holding a child who is leaning over the side. Trees line the riverbank in the background. The scene appears peaceful and serene.

A woman stands on a wooden dock by the water, holding a toddler’s hands. Another child stands nearby holding a stick, both children wearing light clothing. The scene appears old-fashioned and relaxed.

Four women outdoors in a wooded area, laughing and playfully posing with one woman lying on the ground while the other three balance on top of her. A building is visible in the background among the trees.

Miriam Robards

Miriam Robards

A woman in a dress sits on a wooden dock by the water, smiling at a young child beside her. The child has short hair and is raising both arms, feet dangling over the edge. The photo is old and has some marks.

A vintage photo shows a woman, a man, and a small child eating in front of an old-fashioned car parked in a grassy field. The adults wear early 1900s attire, and the child stands between them in a white dress.

A two-story brick house surrounded by leafless trees and snow, with handwritten text at the bottom reading “Robards’ Home.”.

Two children play in deep snow, nearly buried with only their heads visible. Snow-covered trees and houses are in the background on a winter day.

Five children wearing winter clothing play in a deep snowbank on a snowy street. Some sit on top of the snow while others stand nearby. Bare trees and houses appear in the background. The photo is in black and white.

A man rows a wooden boat on a lake with two young children. One child wears a large bow; the other sits on the man’s lap. Trees and a building are visible on the distant shore under a cloudy sky.

A group of people, mostly women in hats and long skirts, sit in two rowboats near a tree-lined shore. Some stand or sit on the riverbank, and the scene appears to be from the early 20th century.

A vintage car decorated with flowers and draped fabric carries children in white outfits and hats, passing by a house and trees in the background, likely during a parade or celebration.

A young girl in a light coat and hat stands outdoors on grass next to a small fluffy dog. Leafless trees and houses are in the background, suggesting a chilly, early 20th-century setting.

Five people outdoors form a human pyramid, four kneeling on the grass as the base and one on top. Trees and a house are visible in the background. The photo is black and white.

A man in a suit kneels by a dock with two children. One child stands in a white dress with a large bow, and the other is a baby in a white gown. A boat is visible on the water in the background.

Six people in old-fashioned clothing pose outdoors by a large tree, with some sitting on a low branch and others standing beside it, surrounded by leaves and greenery.