When Janet Macomber was the town historian, she initiated a program to place historic date signs on houses. What these signs mean is open to interpretation. As long-time New Castle historian Fred White succinctly said, "Many are wishful thinking." William Tarbell put it in more expanded terms in the New Castle Walkabout book [Bill Drew, ed., 1993, p. 5]:

Houses “converted into firewood" generally were replaced at some point, causing confusion to later owners researching a structure’s age. It is not uncommon today to see houses ascribed dates, found on maps or deeds that belong to a predecessor. Other dates may be a bit more vanitas than veritas. According to Albee, some houses retain only their old timber frame while others have had parts and floors added or removed. A few buildings mix several architectural periods, their appearance changed as money, taste, or even recycled materials determined.

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(Last updated 2023-06-17)