Pomfret Street Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Pomfret Street Historic District
|
|
Clark Memorial Chapel
|
|
 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Roughly along Pomfret St. and CT 169, from Bradley Rd. to Woodstock Rd., Pomfret, Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Area | 380 acres (150 ha) |
| Architect | Howard Hoppin; Ernest Flagg |
| Architectural style | Colonial, Mid 19th Century Revival, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 98000372 |
| Added to NRHP | April 23, 1998 |
The Pomfret Street Historic District is a special area in Pomfret, Connecticut. It runs along Pomfret Street, which is also known as Route 169. This historic district stretches from Bradley Road to Woodstock Road. It forms the very heart of the village called Pomfret Center.
This district is famous for its beautiful and unique buildings. Many of these buildings were once stylish summer homes. They show what Connecticut was like during a time when people came to the area for vacations and to build large country estates. The district also has well-designed school and church buildings. It looks very much like it did in the past.
The Pomfret Street Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. This means it is recognized as an important historical site. The district covers about 380 acres and includes 160 important buildings. It is about two miles long and has an interesting, uneven shape.
Contents
What Schools Are in the District?
The district is home to two private schools. These schools have a long history in the area.
Rectory School: A Junior Boarding School
Rectory School is a junior boarding school. It was started in 1920. The main building of the school was once a house built in 1792. It belonged to Colonel Thomas Grosvenor. Later, a large addition was made to the house.
The school campus also has other old houses. These include Brittain House, built around 1800. Another house, Marion Harvey/Harrison Deal House, was designed around 1900.
Pomfret School: A Historic Campus
Pomfret School was founded in 1894. It was built on the land of Charles Grosvenor. Today, the school has many brick buildings. These buildings were built in the early 1900s. They were designed by a famous architect named Ernest Flagg.
One notable building is the Clark Chapel, built in 1908. It has a special Romanesque style.
Who Designed the Buildings?
Many of the district's buildings were designed by talented architects.
Howard Hoppin's Designs
Architect Howard Hoppin (1854-1940) designed several buildings here. He created guest houses for George Lothrop Bradley's estate. These included Hope Cottage, Harry Cottage, and Howard Cottage. He also made changes to other houses like Stilleben and Darius Cottages.
Hoppin also designed the Joseph Washington Clark house, called La Plaisance, around 1888. He designed Oberthal, which was later called Southover. He also created a house for Joseph Clark's daughter, Mrs. Courtland Hoppin. This house is now Robinson House, the school's admissions office. Howard Hoppin also designed Christ Church and its nearby Rectory.
Ernest Flagg's Contributions
Ernest Flagg designed many of the buildings at Pomfret School. These include the Clark Chapel, the School House, and four brick dormitories. He also planned the overall layout of the campus.
What Other Important Places Are Here?
The district has other interesting properties.
Ben Grosvenor Inn Grounds
The grounds and smaller buildings of the Ben Grosvenor Inn are part of the district. The main Inn building was taken down in 1960. However, Orchard Cottage and Olive Cottage still remain. These are now used as dormitories by Pomfret School.
Notable Properties to See
Here are some of the important buildings in the district:
- Most Holy Trinity Church: Built in 1887, it was moved to its current spot in 1973.
- Pomfret School's Admissions Building: This house was moved in 1899.
- Pomfret School's Headmaster's House: Built around 1896 as an Inn.
- Pomfret School's Clark Chapel: Designed by Ernest Flagg in 1907-1908.
- Pomfret School's School House: Designed by Ernest Flagg in 1906-1907.
- Pomfret School's four brick dormitories: Dunworth, Pontefract, Plant & Bourne, all by Ernest Flagg.
- Thomas Hubbard House.
- Grosvenor Inn Cottages: Located at 29 and 33 Grosvenor Road.
- Joseph W. Clark Estate House: Called La Plaisance, built around 1888.
- Coleman Estate House: Built in 1928.
- Christ Church Episcopal: Built in 1881, with its Rectory built before 1886.
- Bradley Estate's Hope Cottage, Howard Cottage, and Harry Cottage: All built around 1882.
