Historic Buildings of Connecticut

Exploring the Nutmeg State One Building at a Time

Public Buildings

Salem Town House (1749)

Another notable building along Salem Green is the Town House. This structure was originally built in Norwich in 1749 on Washington Street as an Episcopal church, which later took the name of Christ Church. A new Christ Church was dedicated on Main Street in 1791. The current Christ Episcopal Church was built back on Washington Street in 1849. By that time, the original church on the site had been moved away. In 1829, this old building had been sold to the Episcopal Society in Salem. It was moved to Salem Green circa 1831 and reconstructed. It was at this time that the building’s lancet windows and columned portico were added, resulting in an unusual mix of Gothic and Greek Revival styles. By 1840 the church had closed and the building was acquired by the Town of Salem for general meetings. Since 1969, it has been the home of the Salem Historical Society.

Former Sprague Town Hall (1911)

On West Main Street in the village of Baltic is a former town hall for the town of Sprague. A brick structure in the Colonial Revival style, it was built in 1911. The current Town Hall, built in 1955, is located at 1 Main Street. (more…)

Scotland Town Hall (1896)

The Town Hall at 9 Devotion Road across from the Green in Scotland was built in 1896 as the Scotland Consolidated School on the site of the former Center District School. At that time the building provided space for the town hall and library on the second floor. (more…)

Second District School, Glastonbury (1906)

Built to replace an earlier schoolhouse on the same site, the Glastonbury’s former Second District School was constructed at 2252 Main Street in 1906. The two-story Colonial Revival hip-roofed building was used as a school until 1930. It served as Glstonbury’s Town Hall until 1960 and is now a law office.

Pump House (1947)

At 60 Elm Street in Hartford, adjoining Bushnell Park, is a building known as the Pump House. A pumping station, it is part of the Connecticut River Flood Control Project, which helps the now underground Park River‘s waters reach the Connecticut River. The Pump House was constructed in 1947 by the Army Corps of Engineers using stones salvaged from bridges that once crossed the Park River. Today the Pump House also contains a public art gallery.

William Stanton Andrews Memorial Town Hall, Clinton (1936)

Located next to the Indian River, Clinton‘s Town Hall was built in between 1936 and 1938. It is named in honor of William Stanton Andrews, a native of Clinton, who donated the building. In addition to town offices, the William Stanton Andrews Memorial Town Hall contains a theater and the Clinton Historical Society Museum Room.

Hazardville Institute (1869)

In 1837, Col Augustus Hazard bought into the powder-manufacturing enterprise in the section of Enfield that would become known as Hazardville. Hazard donated land (at the corner of Hazard Avenue and North Maple Street) for the construction of the Hazardville Institute, an Italianate-style building that was used as a meeting space by the community. It fell into disrepair in the 1970s and was saved from demolition by a group of preservationists in 1979. The building has recently been restored by the Hazardville Institute Conservancy Society.