On the Street Where You Live

CJR Revives Annual Litchfield House Tour

Litchfield is the quintessential New England town with a spacious green, gracious Colonial Revival homes and a main street full of welcoming shops and restaurants.

Included in the town is a five-mile section designated as the historic borough. Within that stretch are some of the most important houses, both historically and architecturally. While these residences have been bought and sold several times over and the interiors redone to suit a new owner’s needs, the facades and structures have been preserved, thanks in part to the existence of the Litchfield Historic District Commission, which must approve any exterior structural changes.

North and South Streets lay claim to most of these houses. It is worth a stroll up and down these two thoroughfares to see these structures. And, of course, there is a curiosity about what the interiors offer. So what better opportunity than a house tour?

For 66 years, the Litchfield Open House & Garden Tour, sponsored by The Litchfield Aid of the Connecticut Junior Republic (CJR), was one of the highlights of the summer season. And then it was no more. The good news is that it is back–and better than ever.

“Litchfield’s 300th anniversary has provided the Aid with a unique opportunity to showcase the living history that is Litchfield today and to revive a tradition that began in 1934 when the Aid sponsored its first house tour,” says Patricia Hearn, president of the organization.

“Two years ago, the Aid sensed the community’s excitement and desire to celebrate and commemorate Litchfield’s special place in history and to once again have the opportunity to step inside the beautiful homes that represent its 300 years of existence. The tour will offer attendees a walking experience that includes nine notable houses and gardens located in Litchfield’s Historic Borough as well as three locations of historic interest,” she continues.

For those not familiar with the CJR, it was founded in 1904 and provides residential and community-based care, treatment, education and family support for vulnerable at-risk, special needs and troubled young people so they may become productive and fulfilled members of their homes, schools and communities. Today the organization’s combined programs serve approximately 2,000 boys and girls annually in 13 locations throughout Connecticut.

The Litchfield Aid, established in 1911 by a group of local women, is a volunteer group with approximately 100 members, dedicated to improving the programs, services and faculties of the CJR. Since its inception the Aid’s activities have netted in excess of $2.5 million to support CJR programs and services.

This year’s anniversary house tour will begin on Friday, July 12th, with a walking tour from 4:30-7:30PM followed by a preview party at the Ozias Seymour House on South Street. Several other prominent buildings will be open for the tour as well including the recently repurposed Litchfield jail. The tour will continue on Saturday for those with general admission tickets.

The nine houses are an eclectic bunch, constructed from the 17th century through the 20th. Each is remarkable and unique in its own right. Here are some of the highlights:

Thomas Painter House, 1682: This center chimney saltbox home of Thomas Painter is one of the oldest houses in Connecticut. In 1959-1960, the house was removed, except for its Victorian wing, to North Street, the former home of Dr. Lyman Beecher and the birth site of Henry Ward Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe.

The Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge House, 1775: Architecturally, this is one of the finest High Georgian residences in the Borough. Originally built for Thomas Sheldon, it was purchased by Benjamin Tallmadge in 1782 who enlarged the original dwelling with the addition of the giant order Tuscan-columned porticos on the north and south sides of the home.

The Corner House, also known as The Charles Butler House, 1792: Situated on a prominent corner of North Street, this house was originally owned by the Rev. Timothy Collins, then left to his widow. After several owners, the property was purchased by Julius Deming and passed to Deming’s son Frederick in 1813, who added the north wing with its giant order Tuscan columned portico. Most of the original interior detailing remains, including mantels, surrounds, doors and the dogleg stairs with elegant consoles.

The Ozias Seymour House, 1807: This central chimney, Federal-style home was built by Ozias Seymour on a lot immediately to the north of his father’s home and hat shop. He was in business with his father and uncle in the manufacture and sale of hats made of beaver and lamb’s wool. The 1884 map of the house shows not only the store but also extensive sheds and outbuildings behind the house. A previous owner removed the original door to Seymour’s shop, to the left of the main front entrance, replacing it with a compatible window.

The George C. Woodruff House, 1829: This house remained in the Woodruff family for 137 years. A rear two-story addition dates to the late 19th century. In 1916, the south porch was removed and a two-story wing added with a single-story Tuscan covered veranda on the rear.

The George G. Morris Woodruff House, 1855: This home is the finest and most ambitious example of the Italianate villa style in the Borough. Of particular significance is the front porch supported by distinctive fluted columnar-like posts with bulbous bases atop pedestals.

The Frederick Barnard House, 1866: This Colonial Revival house incorporates a structure built by Frederick Augustus Porter Barnard as a summer residence. The three-bay façade has a shallow vestibule with a fluted pilaster frontispiece and a wooden lunette transom with iron grill. Both side elevations have bay windows.

The Kingsbury Bull House, 1939: This house ranks as one of the most elegant and gracious Colonial Revival estates in the Borough. It was originally built for Frederick Kingsbury Bull, an engineer, who was the driving force behind the remodeling of the courthouse, the relocation and reconstruction of the Congregational Church and the improvement of the Town Green. The 6,500-square-foot home boasts a main entrance and central garden entrance set with magnificent Federal Revival frontispieces.

A Litchfield Marcel Breuer House, 1954: Designed by legendary Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer, this house is Litchfield’s most monumental Modernist residence, the simple and streamlined aesthetic of one of the 20th century’s most influential architects. The two-story residence has been meticulously restored and upgraded with great care and sensitivity towards its origins—integrating every 21st-century comfort.

“None of this would be possible without the willingness and generosity of our homeowners and the commitment and dedication of our Honorary Chairs Deborah and Declan Murphy,” says Marla Patterson, chairperson of the event.

“Declan is the past president of the CJR Board of Directors and continues as a board member. He and his wife, Deborah, Litchfield residents for more than 20 years, continue to be significant contributors to our local community. They have engaged local residents and businesses that share their passion for the young people of our town and the programs and services that CJR provides.”

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the link below or call 860-567-9423, ext. 278.