The house built by Elisha Sheldon, on North Street in Litchfield in 1760, is commonly known as Sheldon’s Tavern, because it served as one in the late eighteenth century. There is a tradition that George Washington slept in the house. In 1795, the house’s then owner, Uriah Tracy, hired builder William Sprats to add the central pavilion and Palladian window, which resemble those of the house Sprats designed for Julius Deming across the street. Tracy was a US Congressman and Senator. His son-in-law, James Gould, was the partner of Tapping Reeve at the Litchfield Law School and continued running it after Reeve’s death. The Tavern, also once known as the Gould House, is notable for having shingles rather than the clapboards typical in the eighteenth century.
Its good to see where I used to live. Me and my family lived there from 1980 to 1984, i think. Now that i have boys I am happy to show them were i was brought up.
My father built me a large (4 ft long, 3 ft high) dollhouse in the 1970s modeled after this tavern (he found a photo of it in a book). It has moved with me from place to place (is currently in California)and had been beaten up a bit. I have plans to restore it and hopefully send photos to the owners of the actual house someday.
Is this a house museum open to the public, or privately owned?
Privately owned.
Although Sheldon’s Tavern is a private home, this wonderfully detailed building and grounds is, often, included as one of many homes open in a house tour that benefits a local school.
A half-century ago, when my grandparents owned Sheldon’s Tavern, our family enjoyed dressing in appropriate dress for this once-a-year not-for-profit tour.
I grew up there until I was 12 years old. My farther was the chauffeur and I lived over the garage. We visit every year
We have a replica dollhouse of Sheldon’sTavern. It is amazing! We are thinking about selling it. Message me if you are interested.
Hi, my grandma, Mabel Sheldon (1895-1922) is daughter of Otis Sheldon (1847-1932), son of Henry Sheldon (1814-1865), son of Gideon Sheldon (1788-1834), son of Gideon Sheldon (1762-1810), son of Gideon Sheldon (1736-1796). I am not sure if my Sheldons tie into this House in any way but I suspect they do as my Sheldons lived in this area, and surrounding states, during these years. Then Henry Sheldon came to Brooklyn – as it seems the world does. Grandma married and her husband, Theodore Vincent Hall, took her to Staten Island. And here I am today in 2018. And thinking of Grandma and all the Sheldons.
the house is currently up for sale. I had no idea of the history of this place. mowed the lawn there for awhile. been through the house and into the room where Washington was suppose to have slept. it is also said that Washington conducted business in the dining room. the last owner of the home tragically fell down the stairs a few years ago and passed away.
This was my mother-in-law’s home in the 1970s. She had moved from Chicago and had Kenneth Hamitt of Woodbury completely furnish the home with proper period antiques.