At 1135 West Broad Street in Stratford is an impressive Italianate villa, considered to be one of Connecticut’s best examples of the style. It was built in 1854 on the site of the old Benjamin Tavern where Washington and Lafayette are said to have dined on September 19, 1780. They were served potatoes, which were then a rare delicacy. Col. Aaron Benjamin served in most of the major battles of the Revolutionary War. His son, Frederick A. Benjamin, became a successful New York merchant. In 1852, Frederick A. Benjamin retired and returned to the old homestead in Stratford, which he soon replaced with a new mansion, designed by architect Frederick Schmidt. Benjamin’s son, Arthur Bedell Benjamin (d. 1914), was a prolific photographer and a yachtsman who owned the steam yacht Continental.
This should be an important landmark example of the style. Survives as a rooming house at the entry to Stratford. Intact but deferred maintenance a threat. Challenge is to find use for such large houses particularly in high traffic locations. Best use would likely be for CT non-profits seeking easy acess to interstate.
I own a pre-revolutionary tall case clock engraved “Benjamin” “Stratford”. Interesting to see where it is connected.