Souvenir of Schoharie, 1904

‘The Maples’

A long prominent history in Schoharie County.

‘The Maples’ is located on the west bank of the ‘Schoharie River’ in the Sunnyside neighborhood and has been home to passionate history lovers throughout it’s lifetime.

The farmhouse was designed by noted colonial architect Charles Goodyear and began construction in roughly 1853. The “straight 8” center hall colonial farmhouse was designed with sweeping porches overlooking the valley, and the farm originally contained 360 acres which was subsequently divided between several neighboring farms. The farmhouse even in the early 1900, was considered a ‘local showplace’.

 

JOhn Bates Grant, Souvenir of Schoharie, 1904

John Bates Grant

The estate was first occupied by John Bates Grant (1845 - 1906) and his wife Augustus Kingsley who married in 1870. Of Scottish decent, Mr. Grant taught school for three years but spent most of his career as an attorney, forming a law partnership with State Senator Hobard Krum, well known public official and businessman.

Mr. Grant owned several farms in the county and had a broad interest in agriculture. He was the director of Schoharie County Bank, President of the Schoharie Creamery Association, Treasurer of the Schoharie County Historical Society and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Schoharie County. Notably, he made several trips abroad in the late 1800s, visiting England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, Egypt and the Holy Land, and various other places in Europe, Asia and Africa.

 

Don cameron shafer

Don Cameron Shafer

The second owner of the creekside estate was a noted author and lecturer Don Cameron Shafer (1881–1975) who was best known for his historical novel, ‘Smokefires In Schoharie’ published in 1938. A historical novel, Smokefires In Schoharie was set in the early eighteenth century in a settlement of the Schoharie Valley. The work centers on an Indian raid on a small village in the Catskill foothills, and is noteworthy for its treatment of Native Americans, early Palatine settlers, and Revolutionary era Loyalists—all seen through the eyes of one of Shafer’s ancestors who were among the first German settlers of Schoharie.

He served as the advertising manager for General Electric Company in the 1920s before leaving to devote himself to literary work in national newspapers, magazines and the release of additional novels. While at GE he published ‘Harper's Every-day Electricity: how to make and use familiar electrical apparatus, etc.’ (1914). By 1940 he had published over 200 works. He later became the editor of ‘Scoop’ the army depot publication.

Shafer was a member of the Schoharie Historical Society and was elected the Schoharie county clerk in 1925, entertaining many groups at ‘The Maples’. The farmhouse was often the location for parties, meetings and gatherings. Interestingly, Shafer was the first in the locality to own an electric lawn mower.

 

Newspaper Clipping, ‘Historic Schoharie Estate Sold’

Edwin ‘Wynn’ Kintz

Shafer purchased the estate from Mr. Grant in 1913 and later sold to the third owners, Mr. and Mrs. Wynn Kintz (1940-2021) of Harva Plastics, a Schoharie business which still exists to this day. These owners when purchasing the estate had plans to complete a ‘total authentic restoration’ with their love of history.

Wynn served in the US Navy for 3 years as a Supply Officer until he was honorably discharged in 1966 and then joined his family plastics business, The Harva Company. He then started his own company Kintz Plastics Inc., in 1976 in Howes Caves, NY.

Wynn was a passionate collector of political Americana and history tied to the American presidency. In 2009 he helped shape and create the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial exhibit at Federal Hall with most of the items displayed from his personal collection. He was also a boxing judge in NY State judging Mike Tyson’s first six fights of his career and scored Evander Holyfield’s last fight at Madison Square Garden.

 

John and Sue Anne Wilkinson

The home switched hands again to John and Sue Anne Wilkinson (1948 to 2007) who managed ‘The Maples Bed and Breakfast’ out of the back portion of the farmhouse. Sue was a nurse, managed the bed and breakfast and also co-owned a catering company.

John is a skilled local folk artist and retired engineer with a love of history. He is the author of ‘Images of America: The Schoharie Valley’ and serves as a member of the Schoharie Colonial Heritage Association, Schoharie Valley Association and the Schoharie County Historical Society. During their time at The Maples Estate, they also opened the barn onsite to local makers and antiques dealers to sell their goods.

Current owners Katie Hammon and Louis Apicello purchased the estate in 2018 to host weekend weddings, updating the name to ‘The Maples Estate’. They purchased the estate from the Roselli family, who were teachers at the local central school.

**Historical information provided by