”Welcome Home,” Wethersfield Historical Society’s upcoming house tour on Saturday, June 13, from 10-4, will feature eight unique homes and two Bed and Breakfasts. This popular fundraiser, one of the events celebrating the town’s 375th anniversary, will offer something for every taste, whether it be an elegant 18th century Colonial, an exquisitely restored Victorian mansion, a 1920s Dutch Colonial or a modern home with a magnificently updated kitchen. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is the event’s Corporate Sponsor.
Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 on tour day and may be purchased by mail or in person at the historical society’s headquarters at 150 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109, open Tuesday-Friday, 9-4. Additionally, tickets may be purchased at the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, 200 Main Street, (open Monday-Saturday, 10-4, Sunday, 1-4) and at Coldwell Banker, located at 1331 Silas Deane Highway. On tour day, they will be available at Tour Central at the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, 200 Main Street, Wethersfield.
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Among the private homes on tour, two are historic properties located in Old Wethersfield. One is a house built in 1725 by Ezra Webb, which has a 1978 addition off the kitchen. The other is the Abraham Crane House, built in 1770, whose keeping room features wooden floors, built-in cupboards and a wood-beamed ceiling. Also located in Old Wethersfield are the two Bed and Breakfasts on the tour. The stately Chester Bulkley House, at 184 Main Street, was built in 1830 and is decorated with many lovely antiques. The other B & B is the striking Silas Robbins House at 185 Broad Street, painstakingly restored by hosts John and Shireen Aforismo and opened in 2007. In most cases, the first level of the private homes and the B & B’s will be open for viewing.
In “new” Wethersfield, the six remaining homes include a two-family built in 1926 which has been renovated. Both levels will be open to the public and the varied décor reflects the taste of the two different generations occupying them. Next is a 1939 home built as part of the Floral Park Development. Five rooms, including a state of the art kitchen, will be open along with two porches.
The remaining four homes include a 1963 home with extensive renovations, some done by the homeowner himself; a 1965-66 Griswold-built home which began its life as a traditional Colonial and has blossomed out into a showpiece (both levels will be open); a 1984 home with a dramatic entrance foyer and sunken living room; and a 1989 LaCava-built house (with an added deck and pool) set at a unique angle on its corner lot.
The House Tour Committee, chaired by Candace Holmes, has been at work since last fall, selecting homes for the tour, researching the history of each home and working with the homeowners on details for tour day. The tour book, which all visitors will receive as their ticket, will have brief backgrounds on the houses and insight into the significant architectural and design features of each home. In addition, guides in each of the rooms on display will provide specific information on the home’s special features as well as changes made over time.
The tour will be held rain or shine. For more information on ticket purchase, call the Wethersfield Historical Society at 860.529.7656 or visit the web site: www.wethhist.org.
The Home Garden Club will present a Garden Tour, also celebrating the town’s 375th anniversary, on Saturday, June 6, from 10-4. “Everyday Gardening for the Everyday Gardner” will feature several gardens displaying a selection of annuals, perennials and specialty plants. Cost for the Garden Tour is $10 in advance, $15 on tour day. For more information, contact the Home Garden Club at 860.257.7859.
