The 66th Annual Open House
Day Tour of Litchfield to benefit the Connecticut Junior Republic (CJR) will be
held on Saturday, July 13, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, rain or shine. This year’s tour features five homes of historic
and architectural interest and a lovely garden in the quaint community of
Milton.
Hidden away among Litchfield’s
country lanes and back roads, this storybook village features many fine homes,
as well as the charming Milton Center Historic District, which flourished on
waterpower until the middle of the 19th Century. Surrounded by farmland and woods, Milton is a
lovely destination often missed by visitors to Litchfield.
In addition to the featured homes, the
self-guided tour will also include additional points of interest in Milton and
Litchfield, including the Milton Congregational Church, Trinity Episcopal
Church and Milton Hall, as well as the beautiful churches in the center of Litchfield,
the Litchfield History Museum, Tapping Reeve Law School and Lourdes of
Litchfield.
The following homes are featured on
this year’s tour:
 |
| Deacon Peter Buell House |
The
Deacon Peter Buell House
This remarkable 1723 center-chimney,
chestnut framed Georgian farmhouse was constructed by Captain/Deacon John Buell
near a place commonly called “Watch Tower.”
The dwelling was passed on to his son, Peter, in 1734, and a “lean-to”
was added. The house was held by the
Buell family until 1863, when it was sold, and then reclaimed again in 1923,
and finally sold in 1958. In 1961, the
house narrowly escaped demolition and was rescued and moved to Milton. Here, the home was restored to reflect
domestic life as it existed during Peter and his heirs’ fifty-year tenure. Today, the Buell House stands as a document
to 18th century rural family life in Litchfield. Highlights of the home include transverse
summer beams, a pine sheathed ceiling, six-over-four sash above entry and wide
board chestnut and pine flooring.
Extensive renovations recently completed by the home’s current owner
include a new rear addition with all the amenities and comforts of modern day
living.
 |
| Dickinson Farm |
Dickinson
Farm
In 1726, Benjamin Boardman was
granted the land on which this house stands to work as a farm. Today, the Dickinson Farm is one of the few
remaining intact farms in Litchfield, dating back to the 18th
century. The existing Colonial house was
constructed circa 1760 and was designed as a five bay central chimney
residence. During the 19th
century, a two bay extension was added, and for a period of time, served as a
cobbler’s shop. In 1849, Edwin P.
Dickinson bought the house and surrounding farm land. This property remained in his family for the
next 110 years. The current owner added
on a great room in the back of the house for use as an art studio and to
display family art. The fabulous wall
mural in the dining room, illustrating Litchfield history, is a continuing work
in progress.
 |
| Fox Ridge Cottage |
Fox
Ridge Cottage
Built in 1996, this stunning
Adirondack-style Cape home was sited on a granite ridge overlooking a small
stream and fox den. The interior
features include nine-foot ceilings, wide plank hardwood flooring, two
fireplaces and a state-of-the-art kitchen.
Attached to the back of the house is a screened three season porch, and an
outdoor hot tub and shower, with undisturbed views of the woods. Towards the back of the home is a new outdoor
retreat center. This enchanting section
of the garden features unique stump seating around an open fire pit. The grounds on the south side of the home
include a heart-shaped herb garden and a crescent moon-shaped perennial garden.
 |
| White Bridge Farm |
White
Bridge Farm
The oldest part of this home was
built by Levi Coe, Sr., circa 1787, on twelve acres. In 1832, Levi Coe, Jr. inherited the home and
enlarged the property to 300 acres, added the Greek Revival elements to the
house and named it Cloverdale Farm. The
notable Greek Revival details include recessed panels on the pilasters, double
fascia board with stringcourse molding, and the trabeated (horizon beams or
lintels), in the entry. The south parlor
displays distinctive door surrounds with eared architraves (moldings
surrounding doors), and splayed (oblique angled or beveled) frames. The newel post is
original to the house.
Also of historic significance are the maple trees lining the front of
the house, which are said to have been planted by Civil War veterans. The glass greenhouse on the south elevation
is a modern addition. An in-ground pool,
bath house, tennis courts, livestock arena, two barns and a 1920’s office
building are located on the property.
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| William Sprat(s) House |
William
Sprat(s) House
William Sprat(s), a British soldier
of Scottish decent, came to Hartford and Litchfield as a paroled war prisoner
following the defeat of General Burgoyne, prior to 1779. Sprat(s) bought five acres of land in Milton
in 1786 and as a trained architect and builder, built his own small gambrel
dwelling. The house, erected in 1787
with a chimney and front entry on the original North-end, was typically called
a “half-house.” A shoemaker’s shop
operated in the residence from 1814-1834.
In the 20th century, the present north side and gambrel roof
were joined to the original house.
Dormers were added in the 1920’s.
Highlights of the original house include the well in the kitchen, the
raised panel doors throughout the house, Litchfield hardware on some doors and
a five light transom above the door. Of
interest outside are a vintage three seat outhouse and various sheds.
Starr
and Ziehl Garden
At the end of this delightful formal
garden, an Adirondack-style pergola overlooks a small brook with a large
granite slab set in the earth to serve as a bridge. Gravel paths lead to an impressive sized
millstone centered within the courtyard and an Adirondack-style bench sits on
the opposite side of the pergola to take in a view of the entire garden. The north side of the garden includes shade
perennials and decorative stone work.
Ornamental pear and cherry trees in stone lined ovals, lead your eye to
a stone bench, anchoring the South side of the garden. Other plants in the garden include hornbeams
– a small hardwood tree, as well as boxwoods, blueberry bushes and honeysuckle
growing on a trellis.
Stonecroft-Montfort
The site of the 2013 Celebrate CJR Cocktail Reception,
Stonecroft-Montfort was built in 1926-27, on a 170-acre estate by Richard and
Lura Liggett to serve as a seasonal home.
In 1947, Stonecroft was sold to the Montfort Missionaries, a Roman
Catholic religious order. The Order
purchased the property as a Seminary for training missionary priests. This monumental two-and-one-half story, Tudor
house of native fieldstone was designed by the noted Colonial Revival architect
Richard Henry Dana. Impressive and superbly
sited, Stonecroft is one of two Cotswold cottage-inspired houses that Dana
designed on the east side of Litchfield, the other being Topsmead. NOTE: Stonecroft-Montfort is not a part of the tour
from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. General
admission tickets for the Saturday tour do not include the evening tour and
cocktail reception.
TICKETS
Tickets and information about the evening
tour and cocktail reception may be obtained by calling the Connecticut Junior
Republic (860) 567-9423, ext. 278. Advance tickets for the general tour
on Saturday are $30.00 and may be ordered by contacting the Litchfield Aid of
CJR, P.O. Box 214, Litchfield, Connecticut 06759. Please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope
with your credit card information, or check or money order, made payable
to: Litchfield
Aid of CJR.
Those using credit cards (American
Express, MasterCard and Visa) for payment should provide account name, number,
security code and expiration date.
Discover Card is NOT accepted. Advance orders are non-refundable and must be
received no later than Friday, June 28.
Requests for tickets after this date will be held for pick-up on the day
of the tour at the ticket tent on the Green.
Special rates are available for tour groups that reserve
a minimum of 20 tickets in advance.
Tickets for the Saturday Tour from
10: AM to 4:00 PM will be sold on the date of the event for $35.00 for adults
and children on the Litchfield Green.
(No charge for infants.) Further
information about the House Tour and ticket sales may be accessed online: www.litchfieldhousetour.org.
Luncheon
Visitors may enjoy lunch at the
Connecticut Junior Republic for $7.00 from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. A choice of a seafood salad or smoked turkey
and Swiss cheese sandwich plate, including pasta salad, brownie, and iced tea,
will be offered by CJR students. The
luncheon may be viewed on the House Tour website: www.litchfieldhousetour.org.
For area information www.litchifeldhills.com
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