Norton House (Branford, Connecticut) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Norton House
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Location | 200 Pine Orchard Rd., Branford, Connecticut |
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Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
Built | 1715 |
Architectural style | Colonial, New England Colonial |
MPS | Colonial Houses of Branford TR |
NRHP reference No. | 88002645 |
Added to NRHP | December 1, 1988 |
The Norton House is a really old and special house located in Branford, Connecticut. It was built a long, long time ago, around 1715! That makes it over 300 years old. This house is one of the few very old homes in Branford that are still in great shape.
What's super interesting is that the Norton House wasn't always in Branford. It was actually built in a place that is now called Madison, Connecticut. Then, around 1940, it was carefully moved to where it stands today. Because it's so old and important, the Norton House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. This list helps protect special buildings in the United States.
What Does the Norton House Look Like?
The Norton House is a two-and-a-half-story building made of wood. It has a roof that slopes down on the sides, covered with wooden shingles. In the middle of the roof, there's a chimney. The outside walls are covered with wooden boards called clapboards.
The front of the house has three sections. Windows are placed evenly around the main door in the center. The windows and door frames are simple. The windows on the second floor are right up against the roof's edge.
If you look at the back of the house, the roof goes all the way down to the first floor. This gives the house a unique shape, often called a "saltbox" style, which was common for homes in New England a long time ago. There's also a newer, one-story part added to the back of the house.
A House on the Move
The Norton House has a fascinating history because it was moved! It was first built around 1715 in an area that is now known as Madison. For many years, it stood there and was known as the Norton House.
Then, around 1940, people decided to move the entire house to its current spot in Branford. Moving a whole house is a big job! After it was moved, the house was carefully fixed up and restored to look its best.