Historic Buildings of Connecticut

Guilford Free Library (1933)

The Guilford Free Library, at 67 Park Street in Guilford, was built in 1933 on land donated by Frederick Spencer (he had originally bought the land, which was near his home, in order to move a feed, grain and coal store from the property because the noise was bothering his wife!). Architect Archer Quick designed the Colonial Revival building to fit in with the historic architecture of the neighborhood. Many residents objected to a plan to replace it with a modern building in the 1970s. An addition was later built, designed by Gilbert Switzer and John Matthew of New Haven. The entrance to the library was moved to the addition and the front stairs and door of the original building were replaced with a large window and balcony.

Lacey R. Blackman House (1916)

The Colonial Revival house at 734 Clinton Avenue in Bridgeport was built in 1916 for Lacey R. Blackman, a real estate and insurance agent. The house is now used for offices.

John Treadwell Norton House (1832)

Born in Farmington in 1795, John Treadwell Norton (d. 1869) became successful in the hardware business in Albany, New York. Treadwelll, who had been a surveyor and engineer for the Erie Canal, returned to Farnmington to construct a feeder canal that would supply water to the Farmington Canal from the Farmington River in Unionville. On land inherited in 1824 from his grandfather, he built a Georgian-style mansion at 11 Mountain Spring Road in Farmington in 1832, where he lived as a gentleman farmer. The house of his grandfather, John Treadwell (1745-1823), who served as Governor of Connecticut, had been a station on the Underground Railroad. John Treadwell Norton was also an abolitionist. He was one of the first people to visit the Amistad captives who were confined in a jail in New Haven. He played a major role in bringing the captives to Farmington, where they lived for 8 months before returning to Africa. The property was later owned by Austin Dunham Barney and was called the Barney House. For a time, the house was a used as a conference center and bed and breakfast by the University of Connecticut. In 2001, it was sold to its current owners, who have returned to calling the house its original name of Glenbrook.

St. John of the Cross Roman Catholic Church (1914)

St. John of the Cross Parish in Middlebury began as a mission church of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Watertown and achieved parish status in 1916. The cornerstone of its stone church on Middlebury Green was blessed on October 4, 1907 and the church was dedicated on November 22, 1914.

Middlebury Town Hall (1936)

In 1935, a fire destroyed the Congregational Church and neighboring Town Hall (built in 1896 and remodeled in 1916) in Middlebury. They were rebuilt the following year, both to designs by the architect Elbert G. Richmond (1886-1965)

Arthur W. Burritt House (1915)

The Arthur W. Burritt House is at 782 Clinton Avenue in Bridgeport. It is an example of a Dutch Colonial house. Arthur W. Burritt was Treasurer of the A. W. Burritt Lumber Company in Bridgeport (The A. W. Burritt House is at 385 Barnum Avenue).

Deacon David Sherwood House (1830)

The Greek Revival house at 555 Clinton Avenue in Bridgeport was originally located on Fairfield Avenue. It was built for Deacon David Sherwood, a farmer, and was known as the “pink house.” According to A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport, Vol. I (1886), by Samuel Orcutt:

Dea. David Sherwood, a descendant of Matthew, through Samuel, John and Stephen, purchased this farm owned by Dea. Lemuel one hundred years before, consisting of one hundred acres, in 1830. He was chosen deacon of the First Church, in 1831, and served about twenty-five years. He died January 24, 1873, at the age of 94 years.

He cultivated and kept his farm nearly intact until his decease. The population and improvements had so surrounded him, that his land had become very valuable. He died with the impression that he was very rich. The land has been mostly sold, streets have been laid over it, and these acres are covered with manufactures, stores and fine residences; and a teeming, busy, population, with a school house and chapels.

In 1874, the house was moved to its current address to become the residence of George Willett, a bakery owner. The house was later remodeled with Colonial Revival elements.