Samuel Wadsworth Russell House facts for kids
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Samuel Wadsworth Russell House
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Samuel Wadsworth Russell House
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 350 High Street, Middletown, Connecticut |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1828 |
| Architect | Ithiel Town; David Hoadley |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000688 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 6, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | August 7, 2001 |
The Samuel Wadsworth Russell House is a beautiful old house located at 350 High Street in Middletown, Connecticut. It was built in 1828 and designed by a famous architect named Ithiel Town. Many experts believe it's one of the best examples of the Greek Revival style in the northeastern United States.
The house was built for Samuel Wadsworth Russell (1789-1862). He was the person who started Russell & Company, which became a very large and important American company. They did a lot of business trading with China in the 1800s. The Russell House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. This means it's a special place recognized for its history. Later, in 2001, it was named a National Historic Landmark, which is an even higher honor. Since 1937, Wesleyan University has owned the house, and today it's where their Department of Philosophy is located.
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Discover the Russell House
This amazing building was constructed in 1828 for Samuel Russell (1789–1862). Samuel Russell started his trading company, Russell & Company, in Canton, China. He had worked there before as a trading representative for another company. Between 1818 and 1831, Russell became very wealthy through his trade activities. He imported goods into Canton and exported fine teas and silks from China to Europe and the United States.
When his house was being built in 1828, Russell was still in Canton. His friend, Samuel D. Hubbard, and Mrs. Russell helped oversee the construction. In 1831, Russell returned to Middletown and moved into his new home. He lived there until he passed away in 1862.
Who Designed This House?
The Russell House was designed by Ithiel Town. He was one of the most important architects of his time. Town was a big supporter of the Greek Revival style in America. David Hoadley, a well-known builder and architect from New Haven, supervised the construction.
The house looks like a Greek temple. It has six tall Corinthian columns at the front. These columns support a heavy top section and a low, flat triangular roof part called a pediment. The front of the house has five sections with special panels between the windows. The main entrance has a double door surrounded by decorative glass. The side walls also have panels like the front. The brick walls are covered with stucco, which is painted to look like large stone blocks. The house has a strong brownstone foundation and a sloped roof.
Special Design Details
You can see a decorative pattern called an antemion on the tops of the columns and on the front corner pillars. This pattern also appears on the covers of the attic windows. The heavy top section of the house has three bands. There's also a band of leaf-like molding and a detailed cornice with small block-like decorations.
Around 1855, the back porch area was enclosed. It now has six pillars that divide it into five sections with windows. The sections at each end have small balconies. A two-story wing was added to the north side of the house around the same time. This addition is thought to be designed by Alexander Jackson Davis, who used to be Ithiel Town's business partner. Even though it's an addition, it matches the style of the rest of the house with similar pillars and top sections.
The Russell Estate and Gardens
The Russell property was very large. It covered an entire block, bordered by High, Court, Pearl, and Washington streets. Behind the Russell House, there were beautiful formal gardens that sloped down to Pearl Street. These gardens had special boxwood plants brought from England. They also featured plants that Samuel Russell himself brought back from China.
A fancy double staircase made of ironwork was added to the back of the house when the porch was enclosed. This staircase leads from the first floor down to the garden lawn.
Inside the Russell House
The inside of the house has a wide center hall. There are two rooms on each side of this hall. A staircase with a landing is at the end of the hall. Each of the rooms off the hall has a fireplace, with the chimneys placed in the outside walls. The two parlors on the south side can be opened up with folding doors to create one large space. The original rooms on the north side have also been opened up to form a single big room.
Great care was taken with all the decorative details inside the house. Some walls in the north main rooms, entrance hall, and stairwell have special paintings called Trompe-l'œil. These paintings make the walls look like they have panels. The marble fireplaces are also very fancy, with columns supporting the mantelpieces. The doors and folding window shutters have recessed panels. High ceilings in the interior are decorated with a wide border and a deep, decorative plaster molding.
Why This House Is Important
The Russell House shows an important step in the development of Greek Revival architecture in America. Experts like Roger Hale Newton say the house shows Town's skill and sophistication. Professor Talbot Hamlin describes its design as "in the richest Greek vein." He also notes that its columns and open layout are grand and modern, not like simpler old traditions.
The Russell House was an early example of how Ithiel Town tried to combine the grand design of a Greek temple with an interior layout that was perfect for living and entertaining on a large scale. This type of plan was later used in Town and Davis's projects in New York. Its success helped create a basis for the Greek Revival style. This style became very popular for homes until a new style called picturesque architecture came along.
When the Russell House was built in 1828, it set a high standard for luxury and elegance on High Street. Many other impressive homes were built in Middletown, but none ever surpassed the Russell House in its sophistication and grandeur. It stands as a reminder of Samuel Russell's qualities and the exciting time of the China trade. During this period, Russell helped Middletown's trading traditions reach their highest point.
Location and Surroundings
The mansion faces west from the corner of High and Washington Streets. Its large size and impressive architecture make it stand out in the area. In the 1800s and early 1900s, High Street was the most respected residential area in Middletown. Today, it is part of the Wesleyan University campus.
What Is It Used For Now?
The Russell family owned the house for five generations. In 1937, Thomas Macdonough Russell, Jr. gave the house to Wesleyan University. The building was used as the Honors College until 1996. Today, the building is used for special events and is also home to the University's Philosophy department.
