56. Buttolph-Williams House

CT National Historic Landmark # 56
Buttolph-Williams House

249 Broad Street, Wethersfield

104a.jpgI visited this place in the middle of a full day of CTMQ adventures while being profiled for Connecticut Magazine. No, not because I was one of their “40 under 40” people (though really, I should be) but rather for a much better article all about goofy ol’ me. Believe it or not, I actually liked the piece, which you can read here. The takeaway that day from the Buttolph-Williams House was that I found it kind of boring.

And it is, when one considers I’ve been to fifty of these types of historic house museums already. But then when one considers its funny name, phallic door knocker and the fact that the house features in a great teen book – it’s not so boring after all. You can read all about my visit here.

The Buttolph-Williams House, built in 1711, is one of the oldest surviving homes in Wethersfield. This early 18th century house is built in the traditional style of the Puritan settlers. The house has diamond-paned casement windows and weathered and blackened clapboards. The house plays a role in the Newbery Medal-winning book The Witch of Blackbird Pond, by Elizabeth George Speare (part of CTMQ’s Required Reading List, here). It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1968.

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In 1941 the house was acquired by the Antiquarian & Landmarks Society (now Connecticut Landmarks), and was opened to the public in 1951. Currently the house is operated by the Webb Deane Stevens Museum and has been furnished to appear as late 17th century.

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