Officer Hubert Rochereau died 96 years ago in Belgium fighting in the first world war. The room where he was born in 1896 has remained untouched since his death, as stipulated by the family during the sale of the home in 1935 that it remain in place for 500 years.

Judging from the photos it looks like a museum, only better, since this hasn’t been curated and set up for public viewing.

Think about how many private homes may have rooms or sections like this. I know a family whose son died in a car accident at the age of 16. It was in the early 70’s and until I lost contact with them in the late 80’s, the room had remained the same as per his mother’s wishes. Being it was the 70’s, that meant psychedelic decor and blacklight posters. A real trip. I hope the father kept it the same.

I’ve looked at abandoned bungalows and country homes that hadn’t been cleaned up before being put on the market. Personally, I prefer to look at them that way so I get a sense of history. Would I love to be the one to clean it up and yet have it retain an antiquated ambience? Absolutely!

Kudos to the purchasers of this soldier’s home that they kept their end of the bargain even though they weren’t legally bound to do so.

Via The Guardian