Category Archives: Historic Homes

Articles about homes of historic significance. Includes house histories, and accounts of past owners, families, restorations, and local lore.

Phelps Mansion Remembered

Posted on October 21, 2013 by John Poole

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 | 2 Comments

Prayer Spring Farm

Posted on July 28, 2013 by John Poole

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 | 10 Comments

Old Stone House Journal

Posted on October 10, 2012 by John Poole

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 | 8 Comments

Prindle-Goldstein House

Posted on September 10, 2012 by John Poole

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 →

Posted in Historic Homes | Tagged Ansonia CT, Captain Mordecai Prindle, Dr. Frederick C. Goldstein, Frederick Goldstein House, House History, Mabel P. Stivers, Mansfield Bible, Mordecai Prindle House, Rev. Dr. Richard Mansfield, Rev. Dr. Richard Mansfield House, Rev. Dr. Stephen Jewett | 1 Comment

Holbrook-Blakeslee House

Posted on May 16, 2012 by John Poole

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 →

Posted in Historic Homes | Tagged Ansonia CT, Derby CT, Derby Historical Society, Edward Blakeslee, Elm Street Cemetery, First Episcopal Church, Gen. David Humphreys House, Holbrook-Blakeslee House, House History, Rev. Dr. Richard Mansfield House | 8 Comments

Amy Bess Miller’s Copy of Early Connecticut Houses

Posted on July 30, 2011 by John Poole

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 →