For the past 40 years, this home has served as the central gathering place for family and friends celebrating countless holidays and birthdays.  The most ingrained memories evolve around two rooms:  

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• The dining room, the table beautifully set with fine china and antique Heisey glassware (several pieces of which are now housed in Ohio’s Heisey Glass Museum).

• And the side porch (a screened porch turned three-season room) for more casual meals, family games, reading and naps.

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The Hubbartts’ favorite game--played by four generations--was a game they called, “Bump,” known by others as, “The Marble Game,” and a manufacturer’s copycat version as, “Aggravation.” The game consisted of a handmade wooden board the size of a standard card table, four dice and 16 marbles (four colors, four marbles per player). Though the game can be played individually, at the Hubbartt house, it was almost always played as partners (facing opposite sides of the table). Limited to four players per board, in years past a room full of boards would be set up for a Bump Party. Regardless of how many, or where in the house it was played, the game never failed to erupt in laughter with plenty of jokes and jabs. And one round was never enough. Best two out of three, at least!

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“If walls could talk…” as the old adage teases, the Hubbartt house would likely start to shake a bit with walls struggling to suppress an all-out belly laugh, recalling all the cutdowns and comedy contained within. It is our hope that legacy of laughter will continue, and that guests can enjoy yet another round of bump.

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About the prior owners…

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Though Chuck’s career in the military required the Hubbartt clan to live in many states, and even abroad, there was no denying the Hubbartts considered Shelbyville, “home.” With relatives in town and surrounding areas, the Hubbartts frequently returned to Shelbyville and built many memories for their three daughters-- family reunions and 4th of July celebrations at Forest Park, picnics and parades at Herrick, mushroom hunting and blackberry picking around Mode . . . As they neared retirement, it was only natural that Chuck and Norma Jean’s thoughts would gravitate to Shelbyville. Both had been born and reared in the area, and both treasured countless memories of their own.

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What spurred their thoughts into action, was being told by a family friend that the house on the corner lot nearby (505 W North 6th) would soon be for sale. Chuck and Norma had admired the home for many years. Norma especially loved its Colonial Style, rich history, and spacious rooms—plenty of room to house her many antiques. Chuck was able to continue his career as an ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) instructor at nearby Mattoon High School, and in 1983, the Hubbartts moved into their new home, in their old hometown.

Norma Jean soon began a new business as proprietor of an antique mall—The Wooden Nickel in downtown Shelbyville. Her business thrived, and soon she needed even more room for antiques. Thus, the addition of the large garage/warehouse at the west side of the lot. While Chuck initially continued to work as a high school instructor, eventually he did retire…sort of. Never a man for idleness, in “retirement,” he worked for Shelbyville schools as a crossing guard and bus driver, as a handyman and painter for anyone who needed him, and in leadership roles at the local VFW, American Legion, and his church, Holy Cross. His life’s motto could be summed up in two words, “Always Serving.”