Historic Buildings of Connecticut

Exploring the Nutmeg State One Building at a Time

Guilford

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.

Joel Tuttle II House (1852)

Joel Tuttle II was a state senator probate judge. In 1852, he moved a smaller house to the west side of his property in Guilford to make way for his new Italianate house at 88 Broad Street. It was erected in 1852 by builder Baldwin C. Dudley. Tuttle married Lucy Sage of Cromwell. They had one son. After her husband’s death, Lucy Sage Tuttle lived in the house with her sister, Clara I. Sage. Outliving her sister and nephew, Clara Sage inherited the house. She donated an organ to the First Congregational Church of Guilford in 1908 in memory of her nephew, Willie Sage Tuttle. She also helped to establish the Guilford Free Library. After her death, the house was owned by Robert T. Spencer, who died in 1935. (more…)

Heli Hoadley House (1805)

The Federal-style house at 37 Park Street in Guilford was constructed in 1805 by builder Abraham Coan for Heli Hoadley and his wife, Mabel Ann Seward. Hoadley soon moved to New Haven. As described in The Hoadley Genealogy (1894) by Francis Bacon Trowbridge:

Heli Hoadley resided in New Haven, Conn., and carried on the business of making trucks, carts, wheelbarrows, etc. His shop was situated on State street on the homestead lot, where Osborne street has since been cut through. After his wife’s death he gave up his flourishing business, and the property was sold and divided between the children. He died at his son John’s in North Haven and was buried in the Grove Street cemetery in New Haven.

The house was then owned by the Reverend Aaron Dutton, who was minister at the First Congregational Church of Guilford from 1806 to 1842. He resigned because of dissension in the church concerning his abolitionist views, which his congregation deemed too radical. The house was also once home to Charles Hubbard, a writer, teacher and artist. Hubbard referred to his third floor studio as Hobgoblin Hall.

Jared Buell House (1850)

Built around 1850, the Jared Buell House, at 113-115 Boston Street in Guilford is an Italianate house, designed by Henry Austin of New Haven. In 1907, the house was converted from a double to a single-family residence and a small cupola was added. The house was built for Jared Buell, who married Lydia Marie Weld in 1819.

Chloe Munger House (1828)

Chloe Munger House, Guilford

The house at 35 Sate Street in Guilford was built in 1828 on land given by Miles Munger to his unmarried sister Chloe Munger. After her death in 1842, it was occupied by the Mungers’ daughter Emmeline and her husband, Franklin Phelps, who served as Guilford’s postmaster (1856-1861 and 1865-1869). For a time, the house housed the Visiting Nurse Association. It has a wing added in 2002.

Leonard Chamberlain House (1803)

Abraham Coan was the architect-builder of the house at 1 State Street in Guilford, constructed in 1803 for Leonard Chamberlain and his wife, Mary Ann Collins, the daughter of Friend Collins, whose house is next door. Around 1817, Chamberlain sold the house to Samuel Eliot, a prominent merchant.

Joseph Chittenden House (1766)

Built the same year (1766) and similar in style to the David Hull House next door is the Joseph Chittenden House, at 78 Fair Street in Guilford. Born in 1727, Joseph Chittenden was a descendant of William Chittenden, one of the original settlers of the town. He lived in the house until his death in 1793. The house was in his family until 1827.