How much history are we willing to destroy?

The balance of restoration vs reconstruction continues. We feel very committed to finding the original house, but at the same time, the fluidity of the modern home sure makes small spaces seem bigger and social spaces more inviting. The Victorian challenge was short boards (inability to mill long boards) thus, small rooms maxing out at about 10 feet wide. Lots of doors to prevent the heat from dissipating into drafty areas that didn't have heating. Little back hallways and microscopic bathrooms intended for bathing, and the kitchen was a completely non-family space occupied by the cook, so small windows,  dark corners and closed doors were the norm.

It wasn't until the 1930's that the American kitchen became the heart of the home. The servant-less household shifted the way spaces were used and everyone gathered in the kitchen. Hence, kitchens became sunny, social spaces where kids did homework and everyone participated in the preparation of food (well, everyone who was female).

So our house had a tiny kitchen with a tiny window. Doors at every opening blocked the view of the kitchen from all sides, and probably kept it very hot in the summer. Over the years, it has been enlarged at least once, maybe twice. The pantry was removed, stove and chimney eliminated and the window made even smaller (don't understand that at all). Doors have been removed and the ceiling dropped.

The big question is, do we remove the walls, open the kitchen up and make it visible from the front door (completely and totally not Victorian)? Or do we make an effort to maintain the original design, bring back the pantry, put back the walls and  shrink it down to it's original size?

We are thinking the walls are coming down. A larger, sunny, open space with an island to gather around sounds more useable and ultimately sell able. Large windows facing the back yard is also a violation of the period, but keeping an eye on the grand kids playing is our new priority.

Getting advice and ideas from everyone has been great, we appreciate everyone's contributions.