New England Architecture Blog

Chester Public Library // 1907

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The Chester Public Library in Chester, Connecticut, was formed from a private library when in 1875, a Library Association was formed with members paying fees to take out books. The library grew throughout the 19th century and was housed in rented spaces, including in the Old Stone Store, until the early 20th century, when the collection grew to a point a purpose-built library was needed. A generous donor stepped forward, Mr. Samuel Mills Ely (1837-1909), who grew up in Chester, but made his fortunes in Binghamton, New York. Samuel Ely donated funds to his hometown as a memorial to his parents, Richard and Mary Caroline Ely. The library opened in 1907 and is built of native granite and trimmed with Indiana limestone and resembles many of the Carnegie libraries built at the time with a central, pedimented entry pavilion and recessed side wings, but no Carnegie funds were allocated for this project. The architect is also not known at this time.

C. L. Griswold Mill // 1850

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Tucked away on the banks of the Pattaconk Brook in Chester, Connecticut, this mid-19th century industrial building contributes to the town’s vibrant industrial past. Built in 1850 by Charles L. Griswold (1822-1901) the mill ran on water power and originally produced auger bits, wood screws, corkscrews and other light hardware under the name Chester Manufacturing Company, before closing in 1919. In the early-mid 20th century, the building was occupied by the Solar Masonic Lodge No. 131, who renovated the building and removed all the original factory equipment. The National Theatre of the Deaf bought the building in 1983 and restored the original openings, using the building for rehearsal space and small performances until the theater company moved to Hartford in 2000. With its future uncertain, the old Griswold Mill was purchased by the Chester Historical Society, who opened it as the Chester Museum at The Mill in 2010.

Old Stone Store, Chester // 1809

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Colloquially known as the “Stone Store,” this handsome stone structure in Chester Village, Connecticut, was built by William Buck in 1809, a merchant involved in the West Indies trade. The stone for the building is believed to have come from the Chester quarry in town and was likely more vernacular without the columned portico. The four-columned Doric portico was likely added in the 1830s or 1840s as the Greek Revival style surged in popularity. The two side wings were added in the 20th century. The Old Stone Store has held various uses from a store, tavern, post office and liquor store, while the upper floor has served as a private school, the town’s library and an apartment. The Old Stone Store today acts as the western terminus of the town’s Main Street commercial district.

Dunk Homestead // c.1672

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The oldest building in Chester, Connecticut, is believed to be this First Period residence on North Main Street, which was originally built sometime after 1672, when land here was deeded to Thomas Dunk (1648-1683). The property was inherited by various members of the Dunk family, including Deacon Jonathan Dunk (1711-1781), who added onto what was originally a one-room, gambrel-roofed house as their families and wealth grew. The old Dunk Homestead is one of the many great landmarks in Chester and has been lovingly preserved for over 350 years!

Chester House Hotel // c.1840

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This altered building in the center of Chester Connecticut’s village Main Street, has historically been known as the Chester House, a hotel and tavern to provide lodging and drinks to travelers passing through the area in the mid-late 19th century. The structure, built atop a raised stone foundation, was constructed in the Greek Revival style around 1840, and long had a sheltered two-story portico supported by four monumental columns under a gabled roof which resembled a pediment. In 1903, a fire destroyed the upper floor and the roof was removed, creating a flat roof design. Later in the 20th century, a shallow side gable roof replaced the flat roof and the columns on the facade were also removed, giving the building the appearance we see today. The hotel closed, but the historic structure remains an anchor to the town’s vibrant commercial center, and houses a local business.

Ezra L’Hommedieu House // c.1835

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Ezra L’Hommedieu (1772-1860) settled in Chester, Connecticut, in 1812 with his brother Joshua, and built a factory on the south branch of the Pattaconk Brook, which cut through the small village. The brothers manufactured gimlets (not the cocktail), a small wood-boring hand tool used to drill precise pilot holes for screws or nails, preventing wood from splitting and making driving fasteners easier. Ezra invented and patented the single-twist ship auger in 1812, which helped propel Chester into a prominent ship-building community. From his success, Ezra had this residence built on North Main Street in about 1835, which, like his brother’s house on Maple Street, blends Federal and Greek Revival styles elegantly.

Buck-L’Hommedieu House // c.1755

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This beautiful Federal style side-hall house is located on Maple Street in Chester, Connecticut, and (at least a part of it) was built by 1755 by Isaac Buck, who deeded half of the property to his son, Justus, during his lifetime. In the early 1800s, the property was purchased by Joshua L’Hommedieu (1787-1880), a manufacturer, who had the property redeveloped or redesigned in the Federal style giving it the appearance we see today. The house has its gable end oriented to the street with an elliptical fan and dentil block detailing.

Leet-Ely House // c.1787

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One of the finest homes in Chester, Connecticut, can be found on Liberty Street, a short distance to the village green. The Federal style house dates to about 1787 and was built by Gideon Leet, a Revolutionary War veteran and joiner as his own residence. After Gideon’s death, the property was purchased by Dr. Richard Ely (1765-1816), who may have expanded the residence, and worked locally as a town doctor. The property remained in the Ely familyfor generations and minimal changes have occured to the exterior as a result of this. The modillon cornice, corner quoins, and fanlight transom sheltered under a columned portico add to the charm of this great house. 

Chester Flatiron Building // 1913

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At the junction of West Main and Main Streets in Chester Village, Connecticut, this unique flatiron commercial building stands overlooking the Pattaconk Brook that cuts through the center of town. In 1913, this two-story block was built with ground floor retail and a second floor residence for owner, Elmer Pierce, who ran his pharmacy downstairs. By 1920, the building was owned by Jacob Feinstein, who raised his family on the second floor and had his clothing business, “Feinsteins” in the store below. Later, the retail space was occupied by Child Design, a wooden toy store, and after that, a lighting fixture store. Historic main street buildings are often incubators for small and local businesses, keep the chain stores near the highways!

James Baldwin House // c.1785

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James Baldwin (1742-1818) lived in present-day Chester, Connecticut, and upon the outbreak of the Revolution, joined the forces of Capt. Richard Douglass’ company as a private and fought for liberty. Upon the conclusion of the war, Baldwin returned to Chester and had this house built facing the village green. The transitional late-Georgian and Federal style house has a center chimney and very simple trim with an elliptical fanlight transom over the central door. The house has a wood shingle roof, typical of the early houses of the time. Pvt. Baldwin died in 1818 and his property was inherited by his daughter, Lydia Baldwin Sawyer and her husband, David Sawyer, and later in the 19th century by their eldest daughter, Lucina Morgan, and her husband, Jonathan. The home has been meticulously preserved by the later owners, important as one of the early surviving homes near the village green.