The historic home at 109 East Seeman Street in Old North Durham is both old (circa 1890s) and new (circa 2013-2020), The earliest known owner was E.T. Rollins, proprietor of the Durham Herald, and his family. A neighbor on West Seeman says her grandmother was born in the house in 1905. Like so many old urban gems, this Victorian cottage was divided up and fell into disrepair. In 2013 the house was taken down to the studs and put back together with all new systems and a contemporary layout designed by Durham architect Douglas Janes. The current owner bought this new/old house and added a large screened-in back porch, a 10' X 12' storage shed, and extensive landscaping. In 2020, she took on a major project, her 'gift to the street', with a total tear down and rebuild of the front porch. The exquisite design, by the same architect, merged historic and contemporary, and a master local carpenter built it using the highest quality materials.

The large rooms have oak hardwood floors and expansive 9- & 10-foot-tall ceilings. The Living Room has layers of rail & crown molding. The Kitchen is set up for a Chef, one that likes to entertain. It has extensive granite countertops, a marble center island, ample storage space & stainless steel appliances. The Kitchen opens to the formal Dining Room which opens into the Living Room. The Living Room has a hearth with gas logs, an East-facing bay window with retractable blinds & layers of decorative rail & crown molding The Master & 2nd Bedroom are on the left side of the home's center hall. The home's front, right room- currently used as a study- could be the third bedroom. On the back left of the home, next to the Kitchen, is the laundry room. When the home was down to the studs, it was loaded with high R value insulation. The home is efficient in retaining desired climate. Tankless on-demand hot water heater. The property is districted for George Watts Elementary School. The E.T. Rollins House is ready for the next Century and for a new and appreciative owner.