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All original content of A Preservationist's Technical Notebook by John Douglas Poole is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License.
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"For all that's been written about deep energy reductions and historic preservation, no one's as thoughtful about it as our friend, John Poole. His blog is rich in history, packed with great photos, and full of good, substantive building information."
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"The land at this place...descends gradually towards the Point, whereon is situated the village of Birmingham"
- Orcutt and Beardsley, The History of the Old Town of Derby, Connecticut, 1642-1880
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"We must continue to work on practical strategies for improving the performance of [older homes] without compromising or destroying the distinctive character that makes them so appealing."
- Richard Moe, President Emeritus, National Trust for Historic Preservation National Trust for Historic Preservation Contributing Member
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- “Old buildings are not ours. They belong, partly to those who built them, and partly to the generations of mankind who are to follow us. The dead still have their right to them: That which they labored for… we have no right to obliterate. What we ourselves have built, we are at liberty to throw down. But what other men gave their strength, and wealth and life to accomplish, their right over it does not pass away with their death.” - John Ruskin
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Category Archives: Historic Homes
Phelps Mansion Remembered
Phelps Mansion (c. 1826) was an impressive, three-story, Greek Revival home, that had once stood proudly at 1738 Elm Street, in Stratford, Connecticut. Unfortunately, the home was torn down in 1972. But as a young lad, I had the rare privilege … Continue reading
Posted in Historic Homes
Tagged Paranormal Activity, Phelps Mansion, Stratford CT, Stratford Knockings
1 Comment
Prayer Spring Farm
Last fall, I wrote extensively about a Georgian saltbox in the Oronoque community of Stratford, Connecticut, that was facing demolition. My two main articles about this house were Imminent Historic Teardown, and Oronoque Saltbox Requiem. I’d also been given access to … Continue reading
Posted in Historic Homes
Tagged Oronoque Saltbox, Prayer Spring Farm, Rev. Nathan Birdseye, Stratford CT
9 Comments
Old Stone House Journal
Sometimes I wonder if my love for historic homes is a product of nature, or nurture. Or some synthesis thereof. My inner wiring is addicted to timelessness and continuity. And not only to appreciate that continuity, but somehow to enjoy … Continue reading
Posted in Historic Homes
Tagged Guilford CT, Henry Whitfield House, J. Frederick Kelly, Josephine F. Poole, Mabel P. Stivers
7 Comments
Prindle-Goldstein House
This past May, I’d published a brief history of the Holbrook-Blakeslee House, an old home of Ansonia, Connecticut, that’s closely associated with the Rev. Richard Mansfield House. Now, here’s the story of another well known Ansonia home, likewise with strong Mansfield … Continue reading
Holbrook-Blakeslee House
The Holbrook-Blakeslee House (c. 1712), located at 54 Elm Street in Ansonia, Connecticut, is an interesting old home with a direct connection to the Mansfield House. Built in 1712, the home was acquired by Captain John Holbrook, in 1738. Holbrook … Continue reading
Amy Bess Miller’s Copy of Early Connecticut Houses
While attending TTRAG Symposium 2011 in early April, I purchased a used copy of Early Connecticut Houses, by Norman M. Isham and Albert F. Brown. Originally published in 1900, and printed in paperback by Dover in 1965, Early Connecticut Houses … Continue reading
Posted in Historic Homes
Tagged 2011, Book, Colony, Connecticut, Early, New Haven, Shakers, Survey, Symposium, TTRAG
2 Comments