A couple renovating an 1850s inn with links to the Underground Railroad were shocked to discover a historical well hidden under the floorboards.
Janice and Christopher Santini purchased the 1857 Coach Line Inn in York, Maine with plans to transform the space into an art gallery.
But last year, while renovations were underway, the couple, aged 46 and 44, found a handmade stone-lined well spanning 20ft below the property.
The gallery curator and chiropractor wanted to ‘respect’ and ‘honor the history’ of the historical structure, so they created the so-called ‘The Well of Forgiveness’ for people to visit and vent their troubles.
The couple restored the topstone of the well and installed a glass-topped gallery feature with LED lights that illuminate from the bottom.
But their historical preservation project is not yet complete. The Santinis are still planning to add additional lighting and a wooden frame.
Janice and Christopher Santini purchased the 1857 Coach Line Inn in York, Maine with plans to transform the space into an art gallery. But last year, while renovations were underway, the couple, aged 46 and 44, found a handmade stone-lined well spanning 20ft below the property
The gallery curator and chiropractor wanted to ‘respect’ and ‘honor the history’ of the historical structure, so they created the so-called ‘The Well of Forgiveness’ for people to visit and vent their troubles
Janice Santini, pictured with her husband Christopher, said that as soon as she ‘peered into the depths of the well’, she knew that they had stumbled upon ‘something special’ and ‘worth preserving’
The couple discovered the cavernous 170-year-old borehole about a year ago as they were ripping up the old wooden flooring in the barn on their property
The couple discovered the cavernous 170-year-old borehole about a year ago as they were ripping up the old wooden flooring in the barn on their property.
Janice said that as soon as she ‘peered into the depths of the well’, she knew that they had stumbled upon ‘something special’ and ‘worth preserving’.
After completing renovations to the barn to create their Blue Door Gallery, the Santinis made a plan to ‘honor the history of the well’.
She designed a glass cover, to be installed over the hole, that can hold up to 600lbs.
They hired an architectural company to make her design a reality, which cost the couple $3,500 (approximately £2,700) and took six months to complete.
They also had to re-mortar and insulate the area, before adding an LED submersible pond light to the bottom.
The Santinis decided to name the artifact the ‘Well of Forgiveness’ because of the property’s links to ‘safe hiding in regard to the unground railroad’.
The Santinis were shocked to discover a historical well hidden under their floorboards – and have now preserved the artefact to honor its past. Pictured: The well during renovations
They also had to re-mortar and insulate the area, before adding an LED submersible pond light to the bottom
After completing renovations to the barn to create their Blue Door Gallery, the Santinis made a plan to ‘honor the history of the well’. The barn is pictured before (left) and after (right) renovations
‘I wanted to respect the home’s historical connection to the American Underground Railroad,’ she told What’s The Jam.
‘The name was chosen after learning the history of a room under the historical inn that is just a few feet away from the well.’
Now that the renovation project is nearly complete, with lights and frame only left to add, the couple have debuted the well on social media and in their art gallery.
She shared video of the discovery on Instagram, which has racked up over 13.9 million views and nearly 500,000 likes.
In the clip, Janice walks toward the glass-covered well, before peering over the top.
As she angles the camera downward, a blue light illuminates from the bottom.
‘It adds a sense of wonder and is a conversation piece within the gallery,’ Janice told the news outlet.
‘Any gallery goers and visitors that have learned about the well [are usually] excited to visit.’
She added: ‘May this well be lit with love and continue to bring calming energy.’
The couple began their preservation project after they finished renovating their gallery. Pictured: The well during renovations, covered with plywood (left) and during the restoration process (right)
Janice designed a glass cover, to be installed over the hole, that can hold up to 600lbs. They hired an architectural company to make her design a reality, which cost the couple $3,500 and took six months to complete
Janice said the well ‘adds a sense of wonder and is a conversation piece within the gallery’. Her Blue Door Gallery in York, Maine is pictured
Social media users have since flooded the comments to share their reactions to the well, with many seemingly being left in awe of the historical discovery.
‘How awesome to have and preserve that piece of history,’ one person said.
Someone else commented: ‘Tears. So glad you honored it.’
‘Well well well that awesome,’ another user added. [sic]
One person said: ‘This is a gorgeous way to preserve, protect, and showcase the history of this well. Well done,’ followed by a fire emoji.
‘Love this idea,’ echoed another.
Social media users have since flooded the comments to share their reactions to the well, with many seemingly being left in awe of the historical discovery