Gridley-Parsons-Staples Homestead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Gridley-Parsons-Staples Homestead
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1554 Farmington Ave., Farmington, Connecticut |
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| Area | 3.5 acres (1.4 ha) |
| Built | 1760 |
| Architectural style | Georgian; Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000537 |
| Added to NRHP | July 30, 1981 |
The Gridley-Parson-Staples House is a really old and special house in Farmington, Connecticut. It's located at 1554 Farmington Avenue. This house was probably built around 1760, making it one of the oldest homes still standing in this part of Farmington! It's a great example of 18th-century Georgian style architecture. Today, it's a historic house museum and home to the Farmington Historical Society. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 because of its importance.
Contents
Exploring the Gridley-Parson-Staples House
The Gridley-Parson-Staples House sits on the east side of Farmington Avenue. You'll find it near other important town buildings. These include the town hall, public library, and high school.
What the House Looks Like
This house has two and a half stories. It is made of wood and has a roof that slopes down on two sides. It has two brick chimneys inside. The outside walls are covered with clapboards.
The front of the house has five window sections. The main door is in the middle. A small porch with a flat roof covers the entrance. This porch is supported by classic Doric columns.
Above the main door, you'll see a special three-part window. It has a larger window in the middle and two narrow windows on the sides. Other windows on the front are standard six-over-six pane windows. A smaller, one-and-a-half-story section extends from the back. This part might even be older than the main house!
Inside the Historic Home
When you step inside, you'll find a wide hallway in the center. A staircase is enclosed within this hall. The fireplaces downstairs have beautiful carvings. These carvings show amazing craftsmanship from the 1700s.
History of the Gridley-Parson-Staples House
The exact building dates for the house are a bit of a mystery. Old records and building styles don't always agree.
When Was it Built?
People traditionally thought the back part of the house was built in 1732. This was when Thomas Hurlburt owned the land. However, it seems this part was changed a lot around 1760. That's also when the main house was likely built by Elnathan Gridley.
A map from 1759 shows a house already here. By 1781, the house was probably much like it is today. This was recorded when Elnathan Gridley's belongings were listed.
The Property and Its Changes
The land connected to the house used to be much larger. It stretched all the way down to the Farmington River. That's across Farmington Avenue from the house!
In 1976, the house went through a big restoration project. This means it was carefully repaired and brought back to its original look. Now, it holds museum exhibits. It also serves as offices for the Farmington Historical Society.
See also
