WHEN JOHN and Chasity Nicoll first drove past the Wilkinson-Keele House in Manchester in 2003, its foundation was crumbling, the paint had long ago weathered away, and the lawn had grass and weeds chest high.
Built in 1888, the Queen Anne-style home had once been a jewel of Coffee County, but by 2003, it had become a shell of its former self.
“We were both in the Army at the time,” John said. “We were back on leave for Chasity’s 30th birthday and drove past this house. It was on the verge of falling down and was for sale. I wanted to drive by, but she insisted we go in and see it.”
Within a week, the Nicolls placed a bid. A month later, they were the new owners of a historic house in desperate need of saving — a dream project neither of them could have fully anticipated.
“It was completely unlivable,” Chasity said. “It had original knob-and-tube wiring, horsehair and newspapers as insulation, and all plaster walls.”
But what began as a spontaneous detour evolved into a defining chapter of their lives.
“We joked that it was our child before we had a child,” John said.
For Chasity, a Manchester native, the house offered more than architectural intrigue — it offered a path back to her roots.
“I never envisioned myself moving back to my hometown,” she said. “But when John talked about opening a law office, I told him, ‘If you buy the house, I’ll start the business in my hometown where we know people.’ That was the trade-off.”
The home became both residence and law office for the couple’s new firm, Nicoll & Nicoll. The restoration was no small feat. It took 18 months, federal preservation tax credits, and an almost obsessive dedication to detail.
“We wanted to preserve as much of the original structure as we could,” John said. “We got with the Tennessee Historical Commission to figure out what we needed to qualify for the National Register of Historic Places.”
The Nicolls said they’ve always been interested in history, and the house is almost like a fancy farmhouse.
“There’s a great balance that you might not find in some Gilded Age Victorians,” she said.
As the Nicolls peeled back layers of decay, they uncovered the house’s rich history — quite literally.
“We found a telegram from 1897 behind one of the fireplace panels,” Chasity said. “There were Thomas Edison light bulb boxes, old Prohibition-era artifacts, and even a book report from the son of the original builder, dated 1908.”
One of the most unique finds was the ceiling wallpaper, now considered the oldest known surviving example in Tennessee.
“It’s got a little water damage, but otherwise it’s in pretty good condition,” Chasity said. “We had a restoration expert who’d worked with the Smithsonian come out to preserve it.”
The brick on the house was made on-site, and the gingerbread was cut without electric tools.
“It was almost like a time capsule,” John said. “You never know what you’re going to find.”
The home is listed as the Wilkinson-Keele House to honor two of its most significant owners.
J.G. Wilkinson, a local businessman who helped found Coffee County Bank, built the house in 1888. Though he moved to Texas in 1903, the family returned to Manchester during the summers, keeping ties to the area.
Judge Robert Keele bought the house at auction in 1937. He and his family lived there for nearly 50 years, hosting soldiers during World War II and maintaining strong community ties.
“Older folks in town know it as the Keele House,” Chasity said. “We’ve had their descendants visit and share stories like how their mother wouldn’t let them leave the yard during the polio epidemic or how she brought home soldiers from the square to feed them during the war.”
The Nicolls no longer run their law office from the home, but their connection to the space remains personal.
“For me, this house feels like a warm hug after a rough day,” Chasity said. “We sit outside and look back at it. It’s had beautiful families and so much life inside these walls.”
Even after 20 years, the house continues to reveal new secrets.
“A couple of years after we moved in, a local historian pointed to a concrete bench under a tree in our yard and said, ‘That’s the old high school sign,’” John said. “Sure enough, if you crawl under it and look up, it says ‘High School’ on the bottom.”
The Nicolls have invested not only in their home but also in Manchester. The home’s restoration has played a role in revitalizing interest in the town’s architectural heritage.
“We’ve hosted a wedding, engagement parties, and community tours,” Chasity said. “People used to come by constantly just to say how glad they were that we saved it.”
Looking forward, they hope to celebrate the home’s 150th anniversary in 2038 with a party worthy of its legacy.
“This house isn’t just about us,” Chasity said. “It’s about honoring the people who came before us and preserving something for the people who’ll come after. In today’s world, people feel so disconnected. This house gives you deep roots in a way that maybe you don’t get with new construction.”
For others considering a similar undertaking, Chasity is direct.
“Don’t get into it for the investment. The ROI is emotional, not financial. It’s a labor of love,” John said. “It’s stressful, expensive, and time-consuming, but it’s also rewarding.” GN
