USA > Connecticut > Historic houses of Connecticut open to the public > Part 4
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Today the house is wider than many of its type, but its long sloping roof and the slight overhang above the first floor characterize it as one of early construction.
Three generations of the Allis fam- ily lived here, following which it was owned briefly by Ichabod Lee Scran- ton, who, in the same year, 1825, sold it to Nathan Bushnell. Nathan was the
father of Cornelius Bushnell, who was one of the promoters of the shore line railroad, a shipbuilder who provided many vessels for the government, and one who largely financed with his own funds the construction of the "Moni- tor," the definitive ironclad of the Civil War.
The old fireplaces, heavy construc- tion beams and corner posts, and other interior details provide a splendid set- ting for the lovely furnishings and nu- merous items which are on display.
A large carriage house, just beyond the dwelling, provides additional space for exhibits, including farm tools, household utensils, looms, Indian arti- facts, Civil War relics and many items of local historic interest.
Madison Historical Society, Boston Post Road, Madison; phone CI 5-4567; open 10-5 daily, except Sunday and Monday, June 15 to Sep- tember 15; 50c; children over 12, 25c.
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No. 41. Kitchen of the Adam Stanton House (c 1790), Clinton
The Adam Stanton House was built between 1789 and 1791, upon the site of the Rev. Abraham Pierson home. Mr. Stanton had opened a retail store in 1777, and in 1804 he moved the business into the east ell, which he had built for that purpose. The store operated until 1864.
Three generations of Stantons lived in this fine old house and the last of the family, Lewis Elliot Stanton, left it as a public museum in memory of his brother, John Adam Stanton, who had gathered 18th and 19th cen- tury furnishings appropriate for the house. These included ancestral pieces, gate-leg tables, high post beds, em- broideries in silk made by the family, china and pewter. Even the two attics
possess many interesting and unusual items.
A unique feature of the house is the fact that the wooden partitions be- tween the two front rooms and the front hall were hung on H and L hinges in order that the partitions could be swung upward, hooked to the ceiling, and the front of the house thus thrown into one room for assemblies, dances and other social gatherings.
Of special interest is the replica of a country store which occupies the ell of the building.
The Rev. Abraham Pierson, whose house originally occupied the property, was the first rector, or president, of Yale College.
Hartford National Bank, 63 E. Main St., Clinton; phone MO 9-2132; open afternoons until 5, except Mondays, May 1 to November 1; in winter, by appointment.
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PHOTO BY STEKL
No. 42 The Stone House (1840), Deep River
Representative of one of the impor- tant early industries of the lower Con- necticut River Valley, that of quarry- ing building stone, the present head- quarters of the Deep River Historical Society was erected in 1840 for Dea- con Ezra Southworth and his bride, Eunice Post. The Southworth family was an important one and the Stone House remained in possession of the family until it was bequeathed to the Historical Society by Ada Southworth Munson in 1947. Deep River was at one time a portion of the original town of Saybrook.
The original house had a flat tin roof, with a slight slope to the back. Later a plain hip roof was constructed
over the first, which then became the present attic floor. Other Victorian changes made in the 1880's included the addition of a large gable and the building of a pillared porch, together with a wood ell on the rear. The lat- ter was rebuilt in the 1950's to suit the convenience of the society. The barn was also remodeled to conform with the house.
Of special interest today is the Ma- rine Room which contains many items relating to local Connecticut River his- tory. There are some 300 pieces of cut glass made in Deep River, and also on display is a group of oil paintings of the 1840-50 period by a local artist, O. Dickinson.
Deep River Historical Society, So. Main St., Deep River; open Thurs- day afternoons in the summer, at other times by appointment with the curator, Mrs. Edna McQueeney (Town Clerk).
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Par wan Rines
No. 43 Lt. William Pratt House, Essex
One of the loveliest coastal towns in New England is Essex. Among its earliest settlers was Lt. William Pratt, who had gone with the Rev. Thomas Hooker and his group from Massachu- setts to Hartford in 1636, and then, in 1645, had migrated to Saybrook, par- ent town of Essex. Here he built a small, one-room dwelling, which he en- larged to a four-room gambrel roofed house. He served in the Pequot War, was made a lieutenant in 1661, and from 1666 until his death in 1678, he was a representative in the General Court.
The main portion of the structure was probably erected during the mid- dle of the 18th century. It was be- queathed by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel
Griswold, in 1952, to the Society for the Preservation of New England An- tiquities and since its restoration has been outstanding as a museum, repre- sentative of its period. The center chimney, fireplaces, the beaded pine sheathing, hand hewn oak and chest- nut beams, the gunstock corner posts, wide floor boards and other details feature its construction.
Among its furnishings are a col- lection of courting mirrors, pewter made by Joseph Danforth of Middle- town, a cherry chest-on-chest, maple tester bed, mahogany lowboy, mahog- any highboy with scroll top, and other fine pieces of early craftsmen. There is also a letter from George Washing- ton to Eben Huntington, dated 1785.
Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, 20 West Ave., Essex; phone SO 7-8663; open July 1 to September 15, Mon- day thru Friday, 1-4 p.m., and by appointment; 25c, children free.
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PHOTO BY LINCOLN MCCABE
No. 44 Florence Griswold House (1817), Old Lyme
The home of the Lyme Historical Society is an outstanding example of Greek revival architecture, designed by the noted architect Samuel Belch- er, who also adapted Christopher Wren's plans for the Old Lyme Con- gregational Church that graces the head of Main Street.
The Griswold House became famous under the aegis of Miss Florence Gris- wold, a charming and cultivated wom- an of the distinguished old Connecticut family. Her father was a colorful pack- et ship owner and captain who brought back rare furnishings from Europe and the East. The spacious interior of the house still provides an appropriate set- ting for many of these, as well as for similar antique treasures loaned by col-
lectors, and also for a permanent col- lection of rare Staffordshire, Lowe- stoft, Satsuma and Imari china.
In 1900 Miss Florence welcomed a group of prominent American artists, thus forming the first summer art col- ony in the country. Among these were Henry W. Ranger (the first to ap- pear), Childe Hassam, Willard Met- calf, Frank V. Dumond, Allen Talcott and many others. As a token of their high regard for their hostess, the art- ists, over the years, did some of their finest paintings on the doors through- out the first floor of the house and covered 39 panels in the dining room with superb examples of their work.
Special exhibits are added in the summer and changed periodically.
Lyme Historical Society, Exit 70 Conn. Tnpk, nearest building north of Lyme Art Gallery, Old Lyme; phone GE 4-1045; open summers, 2-5, except Monday; 25c.
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No. 45 The Thomas Lee House (c. 1660), East Lyme
Seven English sovereigns were rec- ognized by the Lee family which oc- cupied this house, beginning with En- sign Thomas Lee II, who constructed his single room dwelling around 1660. As the family grew, the house was en- larged, two rooms being added about 1695, and further additions, 1730-35, brought it to its present form-a cen- ter chimney, saltbox type-reputed to be the oldest frame structure in the state and generally recognized for its inter- esting architectural details.
Changes were made over the years, but in 1914 it was restored by Nor- man Morrison Isham, noted authority on Connecticut architecture, for the East Lyme Historical Society. A classic cornice extends across the front and the entrance door is surmounted by
five small window lights. The earliest, or east room, is sheathed vertically with shadow-moulded boards. The west rooms are plastered and panelled.
The Lee family held important posts in the colonial days. Ensign Thomas was a land holder, constable, head of the Train Band, and member of the General Assembly in 1676. His son John was author of "Dying Charge." John's son, John, was king's attorney, and another son, Joseph, was author of the Lee genealogy. Thomas Lee III, was a local justice for more than 40 years, and the Lee house was his seat of judgment.
The furnishings in the several rooms and kitchen reflect the life of the peri- ods of growth of the family over a period of 250 years.
East Lyme Historical Society, Inc., Shore Rd., Route 156, opposite Bride Brook Rd., near entrance to Rocky Neck State Park; open afternoons, June 15 to September 15; 50c, children free (contribution accepted ).
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PHOTO BY LOUIS H. FROHMAN
No. 46 Interior View, Hempsted House (1678-1728), New London
The Hempsted family had resided in their homestead for almost a hun- dred years when Benedict Arnold landed with his British forces and burned most of New London in 1781, but fortunately the Hempsted House survived. After its occupancy by ten generations of the family, it stands to- day, both in its architecture and period furnishings, as one of the finest of colonial dwellings.
Robert Hempsted was the first of the family to settle in New London, com- ing there from Long Island. He, with several others, received a grant of land in 1645 and may have built an earlier house.
Few houses have such a carefully documented history, thanks to the diary of Joshua Hempsted II, with the result that not only definite periods of the house are known, but types of fur- nishing as well. The west portion of
the house was built by Joshua Hemp- sted I in 1678, while the newer, or eastern portion, was added by his grandson, Nathaniel, in 1728. During the next two hundred years changes were made in the structure, but after its acquisition in 1938 by the Anti- quarian & Landmarks Society, a very careful study was made, resulting in a most painstaking restoration.
In furnishing the museum, full use was made of notations in the diary, and many masterpieces in very early furnishings, including some from the Hempsted family, have been used. There are numerous rarities in wrought iron, wooden ware, pewter and brass; simple cupboards and chests; Queen Ann tables; Bible box; candle stands; Carver chairs; early Connecticut tables; early hand spun and woven materials, and even a prim- ative baby walker and a folding bed.
Antiquarian & Landmarks Society of Conn., 11 Hempstead St., New London; phone 443-7949; open May 15 to October 15, week days, 10:30-12, 1-4:30; Sunday 2-5; 75c, children 25c.
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PHOTO BY ROBERT L. PERRY
No. 47 The Shaw Mansion (1756), New London
Connecticut's Naval Office during the Revolutionary War was located at the home of Captain Nathaniel Shaw and his son, Nathaniel, Jr., the latter having been appointed Naval Agent, successfully accomplishing the enor- mous task of providing ships, provis- ions, arms and money for the troops.
Captain Shaw, who came to New London about 1732, started a career sailing vessels from this port. He soon became a master and owner, and his successful ventures enabled him to es- tablish a lucrative mercantile business. In January 1756 a ship load of dis- possessed Acadians from Nova Scotia reached the port and Captain Shaw helped with rehabilitation by engaging thirty-five of them to quarry stone from his land and build his house.
When Benedict Arnold burned New London in 1781, a portion of the building was destroyed, but most of it was saved by prompt action of the neighbors. During the 19th century the house was considerably altered; a porch added, and the north wing con- structed where the original wooden wing was burned.
Members of the Shaw family owned the property until 1907, when it was purchased by the New London County Historical Society. Numerous pieces of furniture owned by the Shaws, as well as silver, china and books are on dis- play. There is also a superb collection of letters and manuscripts. The room that was once occupied by General George Washington is maintained as a memorial.
New London County Historical Society, 11 Blinman St., New London; phone GI 3-1209; open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 5. Ad- mission 50c; children 25c when accompanied by adult.
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No. 48 Deshon-Allyn House (1829), New London
Of unusual charm and distinction, the Deshon-Allyn House, located on the grounds of the Lyman Allyn Mu- seum, was built in 1829 by Captain Daniel Deshon, prosperous and promi- nent whaling master. It represents the elegance and character of the late Fed- eral period. Though the architect is not known, many of the interesting in- terior details were taken from the handbooks of Asher Benjamin.
The exterior is of massive granite construction, the corners edged with finished stone quoins. Beneath the eaves, a heavy, carved cornice is carried around the building. The six-panel front door is flanked by sidelights and topped with a square transom. The mullions are of carved wood, orna- mented with lead palmettes. The same treatment is applied to a beautifully
executed Palladian window above the front door.
With a large central hall and four square rooms on each floor, each room contains a fireplace, four original. The others are characteristic of the Feder- al period, including a black marble one, installed when the Hillhouse Mansion in New Haven was torn down. The house is furnished as of 1829 with furniture and decorative accessories from the Lyman Allyn Mu- seum collections, all outstanding pieces. The portraits, landscapes and other pic- tures on display are in keeping with the era.
The house was purchased in 1851 by another prosperous whaler, Captain Ly- man Allyn, and was occupied by the Allyn family until acquired by the Mu- seum.
Lyman Allyn Museum, 613 Williams Street, New London; phone GI 3-2545; open 1 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, on request to the Museum.
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PHOTO BY FRANK JO RAYMOND
No. 49 The Federal Parlor, Denison Homestead (1717), Mystic
This famous mansion is unique in two respects :
1. It was restored by Frederick Kelly in successive periods: 1717 kit- chen; 1775 and 1860 bedrooms; 1810 and 1910 parlors.
2. It is authentically furnished throughout with family heirlooms: all floor coverings, pictures, furniture were always at home right here.
It is a vivid, realistic picture of how our ancestors lived their daily lives through eleven generations.
Here are many examples of the suc- cessive "modernizations" made in most old houses to meet changing living conditions: open fireplace to cookstove, gas to electric lighting, etc.
Capt. George Denison, veteran of Cromwell's army and later commander of Connecticut troops in King Phillip's War, built a log lean-to, encircled with a palisade, and after the Indian wars,
his "mansion hous." It burned and the next year, 1717, his grandson, George III, built the present house on the same site.
The collections of family heirlooms are exceptionally interesting because they include so many unusual items. Capt. George's will in his own writing, his bullet mold, samples of his wife's needlework; a king-size mortar and pestle made by an Indian slave, home- made crow decoys and a jointed wood- en doll with rabbit-fur hair; a cam- phorwood sea chest and Civil War car- petbag. In the kitchen the wooden dishes, pewter-ware and cooking uten- sils are notable.
Across the road 125 acres of the original Denison land-grant are main- tained with miles of scientifically la- beled Nature Trails and a new Muse- um by the Pequot-sepos Wildlife Sanctuary. Open free with guides.
The Denison Society, Inc., Pequotsepos Ave., Mystic; phone 536-9248;
open June to November, 1 to 5 p.m., daily except Mondays; 50c; children free.
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PHOTO BY LOUIS S. MARTEL
No. 50 North Room, Samuel Buckingham House (1768), Mystic Seaport
No more fitting location could be found for a typical colonial dwelling than in the midst of Mystic Seaport Village, to which site it was trans- ported by barge from Old Saybrook. Erected by Samuel Buckingham in 1768 and attached to a smaller ell, probably built around 1690 by Sam- uel's grandfather, the Rev. Thomas Buckingham, the house is an outstand- ing example of mid-18th century ar- chitecture.
Sturdily constructed, the house has two stories and attic, plastered walls and a huge central chimney which serves a fireplace in each room. The first floor north room, with its classic wallpaper, is furnished in the period of 1770 to 1790, with a fine Queen Ann desk, Spanish-leather chair, paint- ings of 17th century ships, pine table
and other period items, while in the dining room is a corner cupboard con- taining a collection of pewter, as well as table, chairs and accessories of the period. Canopy beds, pine bureaus and early chairs are among the furnishings of the bedrooms.
Most striking is the kitchen ell, built about 1690, completely restored, with great fireplace, pine sheathed walls, huge summer beam, leaded casement windows and other details, which with the furnishings, accurately portray a 17th century room. Here, it is alleged, took place the "battle of books," when Thomas Buckingham, as custodian of the library, refused to release it for removal to New Haven, when Yale Collegiate School was transferred to that town from its earlier site in Old Saybrook.
Marine Historical Association, Route 27, Mystic; phone JE 6-2631; Sea- port open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m .; $2, children thru 15, 50c.
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No. 51 Leffingwell Inn (c 1675), Norwich
Colonial New England reflected with charm and fidelity:
Rescued from superhighway bull- dozers, moved and restored, the Lef- fingwell Inn delights alike antiquarian experts and classes of school children. It is definitely different. "The last word in restoration: so beautifully pre- sentetd and full of interest," says Hen- ry F. DuPont of Winterthur, and visi- tors from every state and as far away as Sweden and China exclaim: "Most interesting house we've ever seen." "Terrific." "A really worthwhile stop!'
Leffingwell Inn has a threefold in- terest.
History: In 1701 Thomas Leffing- well was "granted liberty by the town to keep a publique house of entertain- ment for strangers" in his home which, during the Revolution, became local
headquarters for patriots. Thomas' grandson, Christopher, not only col- lected supplies for the Continental Army, but was a pioneering industrial- ist, establishing the first paper and knitting mills in Connecticut, as well as a pottery, dye house and chocolate mill.
Architecture: Connecticut colonists sometimes joined two small houses to make a mansion and then went on add- ing ells. The Inn evolved in this man- ner and its restoration reveals clearly these thrifty habits.
Museum: Unusually fascinating col- lections of pewter, silver, swords and clocks made by Norwich craftsmen; of kitchen, dairy and farm implements; of local Indian relics including a carved wooden succotash bowl; of rare furni- ture, such as the twin of the three- cornered presidential chair of Harvard.
Society of the Founders of Norwich, Connecticut, Inc., at end of Exit 81
East from Connecticut Tpk., on Rts. 2 and 32; phone 889-9440; May 15-October 15, 10-12:30, 2-4:30, Sunday, 2-4:30, closed Monday; Oc- tober 16-May 14, Saturday 1-4; or by appointment; 50c, children free.
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No. 52 Rockwell House (1818), Norwich
While not as old as some of the historic buildings of Norwich, the im- posing gray stone Rockwell House, built in 1818 by Joseph Perkins, is one of particular interest because of the many fine items which are on display here. For many years this was the home of one of the city's leading physicians, Dr. John A. Rockwell, son-in-law of Joseph Perkins. Later, to preserve the house for future generations, his grand- daughter, Mrs. Rockwell Cole, deeded it to Faith Trumbull Chapter, D. A. R. After some changes and improvements made with the approval of the donor, it is now maintained by that organiza- tion.
The east room, now the dining room, was an addition to the house, and the door leading to it from the hall was
the original back door. A porch was also a later addition, while Dr. Rock- well added a room at the back to be used by him as an office, with outside entrance. This room now contains a display of early kitchen utensils, tools and other items.
Generous contributions by members of the chapter and friends have been received. Noteworthy among the ex- hibits in the house are early American furniture, an exceptionally large Frank- lin stove, an Ebenezer Tracy Windsor chair, unusual china and glass, old wedding dresses and other costumes, early hat boxes, a trundle bed, rare crewel work, fans, hand embroidered infants' clothing and children's toys of fascination to members of much earlier generations.
Faith Trumbull Chapter, D.A.R., 42 Rockwell St., Norwich; phone 887- 8737; open Wednesdays, 2-5, during July and August; other times by appointment with resident curator.
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No. 53 Nathaniel Backus House (1750), Norwich
Nathaniel Backus, the grandson and great grandson of two William Back- uses, who were founders of Norwich, built his home in 1750 on a site facing the well travelled highway, now lower Broadway, with its back overlooking the old swamp. Here the house stood for two hundred years, when it was moved to its present site on Rockwell Street.
The Backus family was not only prominent in Norwich, but their activ- ities were closely connected with the Trumbulls in Lebanon with some of whom they shared church pews in the earliest meeting house in Norwich.
The house retains some of its orig- inal and interesting features, among which are the heavy front door, flanked
by pillars and rosettes, and its early staircase with round rail, hand carved corner newel posts and decorated treads.
Like the Rockwell House, next door, the Backus House is the property of Faith Trumbull Chapter, D. A. R., and is also maintained as a museum. Here are found furniture and works of art, rare old glass and china, ancient Chi- nese sewing table, rose jars, various chairs of historic connection, as well as a table used by John Trumbull, the artist, for mixing paints. Also there are two pastel portraits of the 1790's by Sarah Perkins, one of an unknown boy, the other of an unknown girl. The portraits were found in the attic of the Rockwell House.
Faith Trumbull Chapter, D.A.R., 42 Rockwell St., Norwich; phone (in adjacent Rockwell House ) 887-8737; open Wednesdays, 2-5, during July and August; other times by appointment with curator in Rock- well House.
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No. 54 Governor Jonathan Trumbull House (1735-40), Lebanon
Probably no other person in Con- necticut did more for the cause of the American Revolution than Governor Jonathan Trumbull, the only colonial governor who supported American in- dependence. His home, built by his father, Captain Joseph Trumbull, be- tween 1735 and 1740, was moved a short distance to its present site in 1830. Besides conducting the affairs of the state, the war governor supplied men and great quantities of munitions and food for the army.
Noteworthy features of the house are the front entrance and the lower tier of front windows with pedimented heads and molded sills. Inside, the heart shaped penetrations of the shut- ters, the main stairway, the three chim- neys converging into a single stack, and the panelling are of great interest. Recent restoration disclosed the loca- tion of a hidden staircase, believed to
be the one down which John Trum- bull, son of Jonathan and noted paint- er, fell when a child, losing the sight of an eye. Another staircase led from the governor's office to a tunnel leading to the War Office.
The house is furnished with authen- tic antiques, all ante-dating 1830, many of which belonged to the Trum- bull family.
The latter includes a Queen Ann chair, Hepplewhite chair, Chinese lac- quer dispatch box, and china with a medallion in gray, of a bull with head turned to one side.
Among guests frequenting the house were Generals Washington, Knox, Putnam, Marquis de Lafayette, Count Rochambeau and Benjamin Franklin.
In 1954 the Wadsworth stable, a building of pure Grecian Palladian architecture, was moved from Hart- ford to the property.
Connecticut Daughters of the American Revolution, second house north of Main St. and Colchester Rd., Lebanon; phone NI 2-7558; open 10-5, Tues., Wed., Fri., Sat., May 1 to Nov. 1; donations accepted.
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No. 55 Bedroom of the Hale Homestead (1776), Coventry
Nathan Hale has long been consid- ered one of the country's outstanding heroes, and although he never lived in this landmark, his name is closely as- sociated with it. He was born in an earlier house which once stood nearby, and his father, Deacon Richard Hale, was constructing his new house during the war. The family moved into it only about a month after Nathan was hanged as a spy by the British, Sep- tember 22, 1776.
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