Letters of Pete and Rob

Peter Campbell immigrated to the Caledonia, NY from Scotland in the late 18th century. His house currently stands and is in the process of renovation at the Genesee Country Village and Museum in Mumford, NY. This blog is a collection of letters between Campbell and a construction worker, but the catch is the two men live a hundred years apart. These letters are a speculation of what would happen if time travel were possible for written letters, and if Peter Campbell writes letters out to a possible future where someone will receive them and write back. Header Image from GCVM

[lettersofpeteandrob]

Context

Dear viewer,

I am the owner of this blog, you can find me over at @ggatchi once I have more of that blog set up. This blog exists for the purpose of interpreting the story of the Peter Campbell House currently located in the Genesee Country Village and Museum, which was originally built in Caledonia, NY in 1806. I hope as time goes on you write letters to either Peter or Robert. Peter Campbell is based off of a real person who lived in Livingston County in the early nineteenth century. Robert Jones is a fictional construction worker who would have been part of a crew working on the house a hundred years after Campbell lived in it.

I hope you enjoy the narrative of the time travelling letters.

- ggatchi

[lettersofpeteandrob]

Feb 16, 1922

Dear Mr. Campbell,

Attached is a sketch of your house as I see it. I apologize for the hastiness of the sketch since I was trying to get it done before others arrived, and I am not a master artist. The most notable additions are the columns to the front along with smaller columns and an awning above the main entrance.

Hopefully this helps you get a better idea of what your house looks like a hundred years later.

Yours truly,

Robert Jones

[lettersofpeteandrob]

Caledonia, N.Y., Feb. 24, 1822

Mr. Robert Jones

Dear Sir,

Those columns absolutely look like buildings built thousands of years ago. It is curious that the styles of those structures are coming back. 

You said your time is an era of prosperity and unprecedented wealth. What is life like for you then? I am fairly well off, but I am incredibly lucky to be in the position I am in. My daily life is still full of a lot of work and teaching my children to continue such work to ensure a bright future for our family.

Yours respectfully,

Peter Campbell

[lettersofpeteandrob]

March 3, 1922

Dear Mr. Campbell,

I am a humble construction worker, so my daily life is very busy as well. I signed up to work on your house since it is unique compared to other projects I could have worked for. Everyone is interested in building the newest and largest buildings, especially in the cities. Your house already exists, so I am happy to continue its existence. 

The cities are where you can see most of the wealth. Everyday parties, the newest automobiles, large scale apartments, and more. I wanted a more quiet life so I moved upstate, and I am lucky that your house is nearby in Livingston County.

The nearest city, Rochester, is a bustling place as well. Thanks to the Erie Canal, trade and business is growing on the daily. I visit here and there, but I enjoy my peaceful life away from the city. It is great that I did not have to pick up a project in the city.

Yours truly,

Robert Jones

[lettersofpeteandrob]

Feb 16, 1922

Dear Mr. Campbell,

Attached is a sketch of your house as I see it. I apologize for the hastiness of the sketch since I was trying to get it done before others arrived, and I am not a master artist. The most notable additions are the columns to the front along with smaller columns and an awning above the main entrance.

Hopefully this helps you get a better idea of what your house looks like a hundred years later.

Yours truly,

Robert Jones

[lettersofpeteandrob]

Caledonia, N.Y., Feb. 24, 1822

Mr. Robert Jones

Dear Sir,

Those columns absolutely look like buildings built thousands of years ago. It is curious that the styles of those structures are coming back. 

You said your time is an era of prosperity and unprecedented wealth. What is life like for you then? I am fairly well off, but I am incredibly lucky to be in the position I am in. My daily life is still full of a lot of work and teaching my children to continue such work to ensure a bright future for our family.

Yours respectfully,

Peter Campbell

[lettersofpeteandrob]

Feb 16, 1922

Dear Mr. Campbell,

Attached is a sketch of your house as I see it. I apologize for the hastiness of the sketch since I was trying to get it done before others arrived, and I am not a master artist. The most notable additions are the columns to the front along with smaller columns and an awning above the main entrance.

Hopefully this helps you get a better idea of what your house looks like a hundred years later.

Yours truly,

Robert Jones

[lettersofpeteandrob]

A Letter for the Future

Caledonia, N.Y., Jan. 15, 1822

Respected Friend,

I hope that this letter finds you well, or as well as a Century will treat it. As of now I write in hopes to preserve some memories of the current year and my home. 

I am Peter Campbell and I currently serve as the Ruling Elder of the First Sabbath School of Caledonia. I reside on my land of 175 acres on Spring Creek with my dear wife Cahterine Campbell and our children. I have been grateful that the Lord has allowed me such opportunities in this great land as our family has only been here for a little over a score. It will be wonderful to hear that my house, its land, and everything I worked hard for still stands strong after a hundred years. Dear reader, I hope you reply soon with any news of my property, a century from now.

Yours respectfully,

Peter Campbell

[lettersofpeteandrob]

Jan 21, 1922

Dear Mr. Campbell,

Your letter has been well received. I am Robert Jones and my profession is a construction worker on the site of your former home in Caledonia, Livingston County, NY. My job has been to update and preserve your home in order for it to be the home of many families to come.

I am pleased to inform you that your house still stands. However there have been many changes in compliance with the current likings of the public. The styles of ancient civilisations like the Greeks and Romans have been returning, and such stylistic choices have been applied to your home. Perhaps in life you may have enjoyed the change. If you would like I can share some current architectural designs that are in favor. The current Century is a thriving era of change, innovation, and unprecedented wealth. We hope to reflect such advancements with the work done on your home.

Yours truly,

Robert Jones

[lettersofpeteandrob]

Caledonia, N.Y., Feb. 4, 1822

Mr. Robert Jones

Dear Sir,

I am curious about what these styles that reflect the past are like when it comes to my home. My initial intent was not to add such lavish details as it was just a place for me and my family to enjoy this Blessed land. If possible, I am interested in seeing what these changes look like. Perhaps you can provide me with some interpretations of the new additions. 

You say your job is to preserve my home. Could you tell me what that is like and who else you are working with? I am sure the upkeep of a house is not the job of one man. I also cannot imagine that you are currently working on the house, as from the view of my window I can see that every bit of ground is covered in snow. Perhaps the work will continue in the Spring? 

Yours respectfully,

Peter Campbell

[lettersofpeteandrob]

A Letter for the Future

Caledonia, N.Y., Jan. 15, 1822

Respected Friend,

I hope that this letter finds you well, or as well as a Century will treat it. As of now I write in hopes to preserve some memories of the current year and my home. 

I am Peter Campbell and I currently serve as the Ruling Elder of the First Sabbath School of Caledonia. I reside on my land of 175 acres on Spring Creek with my dear wife Cahterine Campbell and our children. I have been grateful that the Lord has allowed me such opportunities in this great land as our family has only been here for a little over a score. It will be wonderful to hear that my house, its land, and everything I worked hard for still stands strong after a hundred years. Dear reader, I hope you reply soon with any news of my property, a century from now.

Yours respectfully,

Peter Campbell

[lettersofpeteandrob]

Jan 21, 1922

Dear Mr. Campbell,

I am happy to receive your letter. I am Robert Jones and my profession is a construction worker on the site of your former home in Caledonia, Livingston County, NY. My job has been to update and preserve your home in order for it to be the home of many families to come.

I am pleased to inform you that your house still stands. However, I can’t say it has stayed the same over the years. The styles of ancient civilisations like the Greeks and Romans have been returning, and such styles have been applied to your home. Perhaps in life you may have enjoyed the change. If you would like I can share some current designs that are popular. The current Century is a thriving era of change, innovation, and unprecedented wealth. We hope to reflect such advancements with the work done on your home.

Yours truly,

Robert Jones

[lettersofpeteandrob]

A Letter for the Future

Caledonia, N.Y., Jan. 15, 1822

Respected Friend,

I hope that this letter finds you well, or as well as a Century will treat it. As of now I write in hopes to preserve some memories of the current year and my home. 

I am Peter Campbell and I currently serve as the Ruling Elder of the First Sabbath School of Caledonia. As a Ruling Elder, it is my job to teach the words of the Lord and make sure the town has ample education. I reside on my land of 175 acres on Spring Creek with my dear wife Catherine Campbell and our children. I have been grateful that the Lord has allowed me such opportunities in this great land, as our family has only been here for a little over two decades. It will be wonderful to hear if my house, its land, and everything I worked hard for still stands strong after a hundred years. Dear reader, I hope you reply soon with any news of my property, a century from now.

Yours respectfully,

Peter Campbell