Buttolph-Williams House
Encyclopedia
Buttolph-Williams House, built in 1711, is one of the oldest surviving homes in Wethersfield, Connecticut
. This early 18th century house is built in the traditional style of the Puritan
settlers. The house has diamond-paned casement windows and weathered and blackened clapboards. The house plays a role in the Newbery Medal
-winning book The Witch of Blackbird Pond
, by Elizabeth George Speare
. It was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1968.
In 1941 the house was acquired by the Antiquarian & Landmarks Society (now Connecticut Landmarks), and was opened to the public in 1951. Currently the house is operated by the Webb Deane Stevens Museum and has been furnished to appear as late 17th century. The house is open for tours, and is used to teach groups the period and about the book The Witch of Blackbird Pond.
, including:
Wethersfield, Connecticut
Wethersfield is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. Many records from colonial times spell the name Weathersfield, while Native Americans called it Pyquag...
. This early 18th century house is built in the traditional style of the Puritan
Puritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
settlers. The house has diamond-paned casement windows and weathered and blackened clapboards. The house plays a role in the Newbery Medal
Newbery Medal
The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...
-winning book The Witch of Blackbird Pond
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a children's historical novel by American author Elizabeth George Speare, published in 1958. The story takes place in late-17th century New England...
, by Elizabeth George Speare
Elizabeth George Speare
Elizabeth George Speare was an American children's author who won many awards for her historical fiction novels, including two Newbery Medals. She has been called one of America’s 100 most popular children’s authors and much of her work has become mandatory reading in many schools throughout the...
. It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1968.
In 1941 the house was acquired by the Antiquarian & Landmarks Society (now Connecticut Landmarks), and was opened to the public in 1951. Currently the house is operated by the Webb Deane Stevens Museum and has been furnished to appear as late 17th century. The house is open for tours, and is used to teach groups the period and about the book The Witch of Blackbird Pond.
Connecticut Landmark other museums
Connecticut Landmarks also operates other historic house museumsHistoric house museums
A historic house museum is a house that has been transformed into a museum. Historic furnishings may be displayed in a way that reflects their original placement and usage in a home...
, including:
- Amasa Day HouseAmasa Day HouseThe Amasa Day House is a property in Moodus, Connecticut that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.It was built or has other significance in 1816 and 1878.It includes Federal architecture in a standard fashion...
in MoodusMoodus, ConnecticutMoodus is a census-designated place in East Haddam, a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,263 at the 2000 census.-Geography:... - Bellamy-Ferriday House and GardenBellamy-Ferriday House and GardenBellamy-Ferriday House and Garden is a historic house on Main Street North and West Street in Bethlehem, Connecticut. It was built in 1760 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982....
in BethlehemBethlehem, ConnecticutBethlehem is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,422 at the 2000 census. The town center was designated in the 2000 census as a census-designated place .... - Butler-McCook House & GardenButler-McCook HomesteadThe Butler-McCook Homestead was built in 1782. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.The house was in one family for two hundred years, and is also notable for gardens designed by Jacob weideman....
in HartfordHartford, ConnecticutHartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making... - Hempsted Houses in New LondonNew London, ConnecticutNew London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
- Isham-Terry House in HartfordHartford, ConnecticutHartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
- Nathan Hale HomesteadNathan Hale HomesteadThe Nathan Hale Homestead is a historic home located at 2299 South Street in Coventry, Connecticut. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, and was also known as Deacon Richard Hale House.-Nathan Hale:...
in CoventryCoventry, ConnecticutCoventry is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 11,504 at the 2000 census. The birthplace of Captain Nathan Hale, Coventry is home to the Nathan Hale Homestead, which is now a museum open to the public.... - Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden in SuffieldSuffield, ConnecticutSuffield is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It had once been within the boundaries of Massachusetts. The town is located in the Connecticut River Valley with the town of Enfield neighboring to the east. In 1900, 3,521 people lived in Suffield; and in 1910, 3,841. As of the...
External links
- Webb Deane Stevens Museum, which operates the house
- Buttolph-Williams House, at The Antiquarian & Landmarks Society Older website with exterior photo.
- Buttolph-Williams House, at The Antiquarian & Landmarks Society New website with interior photo.
- Older Williams House, Wethersfield, Hartford County, CT: 1 photo and supplemental material, at Historic American Building Survey