Cliff Bonney: An American Tale of Two Cities
By Lucia Malon, HPF Correspondent
Petersburg has many transplants – people who uproot themselves and move here for one reason or another. The reasons are as diverse as the people who come. Some are attracted by the plethora of historic homes at attractive prices; others appreciate the strong sense of community. For many, the location is ideal. The list goes on.
Whatever the reason that new folks come to our City, they tend to be an important part of the social fabric, often bringing with them knowledge, interesting life experiences, valuable skills and talents, and fresh new perspectives. They give hope that Petersburg can once again be known as a place that people admire and aspire to visit.
One such ‘transplant” was Cliff Bonney. He lived here for 15 years before passing away a year ago December (2019). His passing was a major loss for the City. He is missed by many.
Before moving to Petersburg in 2003, Cliff had lived his entire life in Massachusetts. The son of a man who had a passion for history, especially historic structures, Cliff grew up immersed in his father’s various restoration projects, including an early 18th century house in New England known as the Ferry Travelers Tavern. Not surprisingly, he developed an appreciation for old houses, antiques, and relics of times past.
As an adult, Cliff bought another 18th century house and former inn, Seddon Tavern (c. 1728) in Newbury, Massachusetts. A series of fires and relocation of the structure in 1933 altered the appearance of the tavern but Bonney worked to restore it to a classic early 18th century appearance. He furnished it with antiques appropriate to the time period and place.
During his years at Seddon Tavern, Cliff was active in many community organizations and served as President of the Historical Society of Old Newbury. He owned a Hallmark store in town and was also an avid photographer. Many of his interior and still-life photographs were purchased by Hallmark and made into Christmas cards. His home and notable collections were mentioned in several national publications such as Early American Life.
Unfortunately, it’s a changing world and sometimes that does not favor historic preservation. Just after the turn of the century (2000), the land behind Seddon Tavern was purchased by a developer who planned to build a community of new homes. This upset Cliff who believed that his historic home would lose its prominence in the rural landscape, an area known as The Lower Green. So he put it up for sale. It was time to go.
The question was where to go from there.
Through trips with his father, Cliff had gotten to know Petersburg. Open to the idea of a major move, he began looking at real estate offerings. The 1760 Strachan-Harrison House on High Street was among them. It needed work but that was partly what attracted Cliff to it. Restoration was in his blood! He welcomed the challenge.
Just a couple of years after completing much of the restoration of the Strachan-Harrison House, Cliff decided to sell it and purchase a somewhat smaller house nearby for himself. He restored that house as well, remained in it for a few years, and then moved to a home on Sycamore Street. His antique furnishings and collectibles always moved with him.
It is probably safe to say that Cliff truly enjoyed living in Petersburg. Having witnessed, even participated in, the revitalization of an historic New England town, he saw the potential in the City. He was a member of the Historic Petersburg Foundation and the Friends of Farmer’s Bank. He also sometimes contributed flowers for the Garden Club of Virginia and continued to take pictures, especially when he traveled, which he loved to do.
Understandably, Cliff wanted his impressive collection of antiques, mostly from New England, to be returned to that area where he had spent most of his life. In his will, he left almost his entire collection to the Museum of Old Newbury which is also the headquarters of the 143-year-old Newburyport Historical Society, aka the Historical Society of Old Newbury. A majority of the items were auctioned off in October, with proceeds going to the upkeep of the 1808 building known as the Cushing House, as well as its gardens and grounds. A much-needed boost for the museum.
But Cliff did not forget Petersburg. Patty Pritchett, who was close friends with him, was named executrix of the estate. She announced earlier this year that the Historic Petersburg Foundation was named as one of the beneficiaries. The Friends of the Farmers Bank was as well.
Few could disagree that Petersburg was quite lucky that a developer several hundred miles away decided to build some new homes. Cliff Bonney would likely never have “transplanted” himself here if that had not happened. The City is much richer – in many ways – as a result of Cliff’s move.
So let’s all toast to Cliff ,“transplants,” and two lucky cities!