Converse House and Barn

Converse House and Barn
Colonel Converse House
Location 185 Washington St., Norwich, Connecticut
Coordinates 41°32′3″N 72°5′0″W / 41.53417°N 72.08333°W / 41.53417; -72.08333Coordinates: 41°32′3″N 72°5′0″W / 41.53417°N 72.08333°W / 41.53417; -72.08333
Area 2 acres (0.81 ha)
Built 1870 (1870)
Architectural style Gothic
Part of Chelsea Parade Historic District (#88003215)
NRHP reference # 70000716[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP October 6, 1970
Designated CP May 12, 1989

The Converse House and Barn are a historic residential property at 185 Washington Street in Norwich, Connecticut. Built about 1870 for a local businessman and philanthropist, it is a prominent local example of High Victorian Gothic architecture. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970,[1] and is included in the Chelsea Parade Historic District.

Description and history

The Converse House is located a short way south of Norwich's triangular Chelsea Parade park, on the east side of Washington Street opposite Norton Court. The house is a 2-1/2 story wood frame Gothic Revival structure, with asymmetrical massing, vertical board siding, and a polychrome exterior. The front facade is dominated by a hip-roofed tower on the right, in front of which is a distinctive seven-sided porch. Front-facing windows are set in peaked-gable openings, and there is decorative woodwork attached to the steep Gothic roof gables. The interior features fine oak flooring, walnut paneling in the dining room, and a fireplace surround with Dutch landscape in tile. The barn appears to be of similar age to the house, which was built c. 1870.[2]

The house in 2016

The house was built about 1870, and is a prominent local example of the High Victorian Gothic style. It was the home of Colonel Charles A. Converse, a local businessman and philanthropist. The main change to the house has been a slight enlargement of the kitchen, so that it could be modernized. Converse is best known locally for donating the Converse Art Gallery to the Norwich Free Academy.[2]


See also

References

  1. 1 2 National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 Luyster, Constance (July 28, 1970). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Converse House and Barn". National Park Service. and Accompanying five photos, from 1970 and undated
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