Image: Truman Galusha House, Jericho, VT

Description: Galusha House This Federal House, built in 1790 is located at the top of a large sloping lawn at the junction of VT Rt. 15 and Lee River Road in Jericho Corners, Vermont. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in the late 1970s. The house was completely restored in 1982, and is privately owned. Truman Galusha (1786 - 1859) was the son of a famous early Vermont governor, Jonas Galusha, of Shaftsbury and his wife, Mary Chittenden who was the daughter of VT's first governor, Thos. Chittenden. Jonas was elected to 9 one-yr. terms as Governor, beginning in 1809 (source: History of Jericho, VT, Hayden, 1916). Gov. Jonas Galusha's home in Center Shaftsbury is also on the National Register. Truman had 6 children with two wives: He married (1)Lydia Loomis, and (2)Hannah Chittenden, a granddaughter of Thos. and daughter of Gov. Noah Chittenden. Truman Galusha did not build this house, but was its most famous resident, and it has always been called "The Galusha House," "The Truman Galusha Mansion," or "Fairview." A drawing of the house appears with other important buildings on a large wall map of the county done in 1857 by H F Walling, captioned, "Residence of Hon. Truman Galusha." The 1869 Atlas of Chittenden Co. notes the house's name as "FAIRVIEW," all in capital letters. The house is included in "Look Around Chittenden County," a book featuring the county's historic homes, published in the 1960s or 70s, and was placed on the National Register based on "architectural excellence." It is one of Vermont's purely Federal houses, and features rare original details, especially for early Vermont, such as the well-worked dentils under the eaves and elaborate woodwork in the front parlor and elsewhere. There are four original Rumford fireplaces. The front door is not original. It was originally topped by a classic fanlight with sidelights. The small portico now above the door in front was added when the original door was sold during the 1930s, according to town legend. The oldest part of the house (1790) mav have been built by John Bliss, who was an early owner of the house and also owned the Jericho Red Mill, which is across the main road from the house. The large Federal front part of the house was added in 1809. Galusha moved to Jericho in 1824 and the house was occupied by him and his descendants (including the Howe family) into the 1930's. Truman was "a farmer, banker, and one of the wealthiest and most prominent citizens of the town," according to the History of Jericho, VT. The house was a stop on the Underground Railroad, and has a trap door giving access to space under the floors, which is said to have once led to an underground tunnel. The small brick home now at the bottom of the lawn at the roadside was once the servant's quarters for the Truman Galusha house. (This info supplied by former owners, Ray and Charlotte Allen who restored the house in the 1980's)
Title: Truman Galusha House, Jericho, VT
Credit: Own work
Author: Blueridge12
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