Thomas Harrison House (Branford, Connecticut) facts for kids
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Thomas Harrison 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 | 23 N. Harbor St., Branford, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | c. 1725 |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Vernacular Georgian |
| Part of | Canoe Brook Historic District (ID02000335) |
| MPS | Colonial Houses of Branford TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 88002644 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 01, 1988 |
| Designated CP | April 11, 2002 |
The Thomas Harrison House is a very old and interesting house found at 23 North Harbor Street in Branford, Connecticut. It was likely built before 1723, making it one of the oldest homes in the town. What makes it extra special is its unique gambrel roof, which looks a bit like a barn roof. This historic house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, recognizing its importance.
What is the Thomas Harrison House?
The Thomas Harrison House is located west of Branford Center, in a neighborhood called Canoe Brook. You can find it at the corner of Bradley and North Harbor Streets. The house is angled to face this intersection. It's a one-and-a-half story building made of wood, covered with clapboard siding.
A Look at the House's Design
This house has a special gambrel roof, which means it has two different slopes on each side. The front of the house has five sections, with windows neatly placed around the main front door. Three small, gabled windows stick out from the front roof, letting light into the upper floor.
Originally, the house had a large chimney in the middle. Today, the part of the chimney you see above the roof has been changed to a modern metal pipe. A part of the house also extends out to the west, adding more space.
Who Lived Here? A Glimpse into History
The Thomas Harrison House was probably built sometime before 1723. We know this because in 1723, records show that Thomas Harrison received the land from his father's estate, and a newly built house frame was mentioned.
This house is one of only a few homes from the 1700s still standing in Branford. It's also unusual because most other houses from that time in Branford were two full stories tall and had chimneys at the ends, not in the middle with a gambrel roof. The Harrison family were important people in the area who owned a lot of land.
