Isham-Terry House facts for kids
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Isham-Terry House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 211 High St., Hartford, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1854 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Part of | Downtown North Historic District (ID04000390) |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004413 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 11, 1982 |
| Designated CP | May 6, 2004 |
The Isham-Terry House is a special old home located at 211 High Street in Hartford, Connecticut. It was built around 1854. From 1896, it became the home of the Isham family. They carefully restored the house in the early 1900s. In the 1970s, the family gave the house to an organization called Connecticut Landmarks. Today, Connecticut Landmarks runs the house as a museum. You can take guided tours there and even rent it for events. The Isham-Terry House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Contents
What Does the Isham-Terry House Look Like?
The Isham-Terry House is easy to spot in Hartford. It's just north of Interstate 84, near the city's police station. The house is a two-story building made of painted brick. It has a unique, almost square shape.
Special Features of the House
A cool part of the house is a three-story tower that sticks out from one corner. This tower makes the house look even more impressive. The roof has wide edges with fancy decorations called Italianate brackets. These brackets help hold up the roof.
The windows on the first and second floors are rectangular. Up in the attic, there are smaller, narrow windows. On the sides of the house that face the street, the second-floor windows have decorative tops. Some are shaped like gables, and others have rounded arches.
Porches and Balconies
The first floor facing Walnut Street has a lovely porch. It's supported by thin columns and has round arch openings. These arches have carved wooden designs. A low railing with spindles also runs along the porch. There's a similar porch at the main entrance on High Street. The tower also has balconies with these same pretty features.
Inside the Isham-Terry House
The inside of the house is very well-preserved. It has special wall coverings called lincrusta. You can also see beautiful carved wood and sparkling glass chandeliers. It's like stepping back in time!
History of the Isham-Terry House
The Isham-Terry House was built between 1852 and 1856. A man named Ebenezer Roberts bought the land in 1852. By 1856, he was living in the house. Mr. Roberts was an important person in Hartford. He was a director at the Hartford National Bank and the Travelers Insurance Company.
A Fashionable Neighborhood
Building this house helped make the Asylum Hill area a popular place for wealthy families. Many other grand homes once lined High Street. However, over the years, most of these other houses were torn down. The Isham-Terry House is one of the few remaining examples of that time.
The Isham Family's Legacy
In 1896, Dr. Oliver Isham bought the house. He was from the well-known Isham and Terry families in the area. Dr. Isham lived in the house and also ran his medical practice there. In the 1970s, his family members who were still alive decided to give the house to Connecticut Landmarks. They wanted to make sure this historic home would be protected and preserved for everyone to enjoy.
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