Historic Buildings of Connecticut

Exploring the Nutmeg State One Building at a Time

Enfield

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.

Rev. Francis L. Robbins House (1830)

The Greek Revival house at 1280 Enfield Street in Enfield was built in 1830 for Rev. Francis LeBaron Robbins. Rev. Robbins (b. 1787) was a Congregationalist missionary who became pastor of Enfield’s Congregational Church in 1816. He served as pastor for 34 years, until his death in 1850. The house continued in use as a parsonage until the mid-twentieth century.

William Mulligan House (1886)

This week we’ll be focusing on buildings in Enfield. At 121 Pearl Street in Thompsonville (a section of Enfield) is an extravagant Queen Anne-style residence (with a stick/Eastlake porch), built in 1886. It was the home of William Mulligan, who was probably the same William Mulligan who was a dealer in coffins, caskets and funeral supplies (he retired c. 1905) and the William J. Mulligan who was State Deputy of the Knights of Columbus.

Paul Robeson House (1903)

The Colonial Revival house at 1221 Enfield Street in Enfield was built in 1903. It is known for its association with Paul Robeson, whose family owned it from 1940 to 1953. At that time, Robeson was at the height of his popularity as a singer and actor, famed for his roles in The Emperor Jones (which was the first feature sound film starring an African American) Show Boat, and Othello. Robeson was also a political activist for civil rights and a communist who suffered ostracism and persecution for his beliefs.

Old Town Hall, Enfield (1775)

The Old Town Hall of Enfield was originally built in 1775 as the Enfield Congregational Church’s third meeting house. By 1848, the building had become overcrowded and the current church was built the following year. With funds from businessman businessman, Orrin Thompson, the old meeting house was converted into the town hall. The building was altered with the removal of the steeple and the addition of a Greek Revival-style front portico. A new town hall was built in 1892 and the old building was neglected until 1923, when it became a community house. The building was later threatened with demolition, but between 1972 and 1980 it was restored by the Enfield Historical Society and then opened as the Old Town Hall Museum.

The Anderson House (1702)

The Anderson House, at 1380 Enfield Street in Enfield, was built in 1702 by original settlers of the town. Later in the eighteenth century, the house was owned by Ephraim Pease, grandson of Deacon Robert Pease, one of the two founders of Enfield, who came from Salem, Massachusetts. Ephraim Pease was a merchant, slave owner and representative in the General Assembly. It’s possible that George Washington once slept in the house, which also held Hessian prisoners during the Revolutionary War. The house was later in a dilapidated condition but was eventually restored.

The Orrin Thompson House (1832)

Orrin Thompson founded the carpet industry in Enfield, establishing the Thompsonville Carpet Manufacturing Company in 1828. In 1832, Thompson built an impressive brick residence on 32 acres in Enfield. The company grew, but by the 1850s Thompson was in debt and had to turn it over to his creditors, who renamed it the Hartford Carpet Company. Thompson’s house was later owned by G. Harrison Mifflin and subsequently sold to the Felician Sisters: the Congregation of Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice, Our Lady of the Angels Province. The building currently houses an adult day care facility. In blog related news, please also take a look at my new blog, Historic Places, where I will feature places I have visited recently outside of Connecticut and Massachusetts.