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Home, Traditions Stay in the FamilyBy Jen Thomas - September 09, 2007
 | | Courtney Hamilton and her daughter, Jordan, will live in the former Hamilton home on Division Street. |
PITTSFIELD - When Shirley Hamilton donated her house to Habitat for Humanity in 2002, she hoped it would be occupied by a family who would appreciate it like she and her family had. She never imagined that her own granddaughter would someday call it home.
"My mother always wanted the house to go to someone who would raise their children there," said Marilyn Hamilton, one of Shirley and Randolph Hamilton’s seven children. "By some miracle, it came back to a family member."
On Sunday, the Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity officially dedicated the home at 31 Division St. and handed over the keys to Courtney Hamilton, the daughter of Shirley and Randolph’s son, Roger. Along with her own daughter, Jordan, 5, Hamilton has lived at the residence since Sept. 1 and intends to stick around for awhile.
"We’re not going anywhere," Hamilton said. "I’m glad that my daughter can have a piece of family history to pass on."
Owned by the Hamiltons beginning in 1960, Shirley and Randolph raised their seven children and three foster children in the house. Unable to care for needed repairs, the children passed the property along to Habitat for Humanity, which repaired the foundation, completely renovated the interior and redesigned the floor plan.
At the time the house was donated, Courtney Hamilton was in the process of performing "sweat equity" - hours of labor that homeowners must undergo before they can move into their homes - and was able to work on her grandparents' old house. Nearly three years later, the single-family home is hers.
"It’s a blessing," Hamilton said. "I remember going there as a kid and seeing my grandparents. I mean, the floor plan is totally different but I still see the house the same as when I was a little girl."
"It’s one of the most beautiful houses and Courtney poured her love and effort into making a stunning showcase of a house," said Sara Hathaway, president of the Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity.
With only small landscaping work still needed in the front yard of the property, the Hamiltons hope the rebuilt home will bring the family closer together.
"That house was always full of fun, tradition and family. I think Courtney will bring that back," said Marilyn Hamilton.
Working primarily in Pittsfield, Habitat chapter partners with volunteers, families and communities to build or rehabilitate homes for qualified families. Hathaway said the organization typically completes 1 1/2 houses a year.
"This organization builds community like nothing I’ve ever seen in Pittsfield, in the Berkshires and all over the country," she said.
As Habitat prepares to move onto its new projects, Courtney is thankful she can finally settle into the house she worked so hard to renovate.
"It’s been a long process and I’ve shed many tears but it’s been worth the wait," Hamilton said.
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