The house gets its name because its structural framing is exposed on the exterior of the house, with panels bolted together in a shiplap style. Conversely, the inside of the house is finished with stucco over tongue and groove siding!
This building, dating back to 1873, was originally located in Altamonte Springs on Boston Avenue, near the old Altamonte Hotel and Lake Orienta. It was one of the earliest examples of a prefabricated house in the United States. It first arrived by steamship in Sanford and was transported by mule cart to Altamonte Springs before being reassembled there.
It was owned by Captain W. Pierce, a retired sea captain. The first floor was a cabinet shop, while the family lived upstairs. Pierce later became the president of the Orlando National Blank.
The home is also notable for its decorative finishes along the front porch, balcony, and roof line. Inside it has a tight wooden spiral staircase leading to the second floor.
In 1973, the Longwood Historic Society acquired the house and raised funds to move it from Altamonte to its present location on Church Avenue in Longwood. Before the Society saved it, the building was threatened with demolition.
For years, it operated as a store called the Culinary Cottage.
Today, the Longwood Historic Society still owns and maintains the building. A metal roof replaced the single roof in April 2024.
The house is rented out to members Tom and Pam Reddit, who offer unique products at the Cottage Gift Shop. It is open to the public; come and visit!
Historic Photos
Cottage Gift Shop
Located in the Inside-Outside House is this quaint little shop. Cottage Gifts has been family-owned and operated by the Redditt family since 1995. They have a lot of unique gifts for just about anyone. It really is a great place to shop or just browse!
They have a wonderful assortment no matter who you are shopping for from babies to brides to grandma. There is a kitchen section with supplies and various sauces and mixes from craft small-batch and local vendors. There are candles, frames, purses, jewelry, stuffed animals, clothes, shoes, fragrances, tiaras, veils. They have a room with holiday decorations…
You get the idea. I am telling you they have some cool stuff. They even offer monogramming. And because they are small, you get the one-on-one attention if you need advice.