It’s no easy trick, living in a house so rich with history that hundreds of Albuquerque residents consider it part of their lives. The panorama of birth, death, and local history imprinted on Albuquerque’s Whitmer-McKinnon house might daunt new owners less skilled in finding amicable solutions.

In its latest revival the house is flourishing under the care of Karen Foss, a University of New Mexico professor of communications and journalism, and communications consultant Steven Littlejohn. It’s as if Foss and Littlejohn sat down with the house for a heart-to-heart talk, promising great respect for its history in exchange for permission to mold its living spaces to their own style. Then with inspired input from designer Rob Strell and builder Mike Hatchell, each of whom brought unique sensitivities and sensibilities to the project, they shaped a lovely modern expression of an Albuquerque classic.

Journey of a landmark
In 1920 Thaddeus Whitmer, a prominent lumber store owner, built a home in the city’s finest downtown residential district. The house’s entrance and public rooms faced west, with two wings extending back to form a U. The south wing held bedrooms. A kitchen, servant’s room, and utility areas made up the north wing. In 1931 Whitmer added another large bedroom to the east end of the house, creating an enclosed central courtyard and a back patio. The house, reputed to have 56 windows and 36 doors, exemplified the hot new style called Pueblo Revival. But nothing is ever simple. The building combines wavy parapets more typical of Mission style; the columns, corbels, beams, and vigas of Pueblo style; and the clean-lined interiors and built-in casework associated with art deco.

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