Old Wethersfield
Encyclopedia
Old Wethersfield, also known as Old Wethersfield Historic District, and historically known as Watertown or Pyquag, is a section of the town of Wethersfield, Connecticut
roughly bounded by the borders of the adjacent city of Hartford and town of Rocky Hill
, railroad tracks, and I-91. The site of the first permanent European-American settlement in the state of Connecticut
, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1970. At 2.3 mi2 in size, it is the state's largest historic district.
The land for this colonial settlement was acquired from the Massachusetts Bay Colony
. Wethersfield served as a transportation hub on the Connecticut River
in the early years.
The Old Wethersfield Historic District was established under town statutes in 1962, "to preserve and protect the many architectural phases of a Connecticut River Community in continual growth from 1634 to the present." Eight years later, in 1970, the Old Wethersfield Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The village includes 50 houses that were built before the American Revolutionary War
, plus about 250 additional houses built before the 20th century, about 100 of which were built earlier than the American Civil War
.
The historic district listed on the National Register includes 1200 structures over 1300 acres (5.3 km²). Of these 100 date from colonial times. Many of the early frame and brick houses were built by sea captains around the town green.
There are three National Historic Landmark
s in Old Wethersfield:
Another prominent historic building in the district is:
The district includes Wethersfield's green, which is "a slender diamond nearly a half-mile long".
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...
roughly bounded by the borders of the adjacent city of Hartford and town of Rocky Hill
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Rocky Hill is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 17,966 at the 2000 census. Rocky Hill was part of Wethersfield, the neighboring town to the north, until it was independently incorporated in 1849....
, railroad tracks, and I-91. The site of the first permanent European-American settlement in the state of Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1970. At 2.3 mi2 in size, it is the state's largest historic district.
The land for this colonial settlement was acquired from the Massachusetts Bay Colony
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement on the east coast of North America in the 17th century, in New England, situated around the present-day cities of Salem and Boston. The territory administered by the colony included much of present-day central New England, including portions...
. Wethersfield served as a transportation hub on the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
in the early years.
The Old Wethersfield Historic District was established under town statutes in 1962, "to preserve and protect the many architectural phases of a Connecticut River Community in continual growth from 1634 to the present." Eight years later, in 1970, the Old Wethersfield Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The village includes 50 houses that were built before the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, plus about 250 additional houses built before the 20th century, about 100 of which were built earlier than the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
The historic district listed on the National Register includes 1200 structures over 1300 acres (5.3 km²). Of these 100 date from colonial times. Many of the early frame and brick houses were built by sea captains around the town green.
There are three 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...
s in Old Wethersfield:
- Buttolph-Williams HouseButtolph-Williams HouseButtolph-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...
— 249 Broad St. - Joseph Webb HouseJoseph Webb HouseThe Joseph Webb House is a historic Georgian-style house in Wethersfield, Connecticut that was the site of a five day military conference during the American Revolutionary War. General George Washington came to Wethersfield in order to plan with Rochambeau, the French commander. These plans led...
— 211 Main St. - Silas Deane HouseSilas Deane HouseSilas Deane House in Wethersfield, Connecticut was the home of Silas Deane, the first diplomat for the United States.Deane built the house in 1766. The two-story Georgian house is L-shaped with gable roof and two interior chimneys. In 1959, the house was donated to The National Society of the...
— 203 Main St.
Another prominent historic building in the district is:
- First Church of Christ, WethersfieldFirst Church of Christ, WethersfieldThe First Church of Christ, Wethersfield is a historic church that is included in the Old Wethersfield Historic District.According to a plaque at the church, George Washington attended church there on May 20, 1781, during a conference with Rochambeau at the Webb House....
The district includes Wethersfield's green, which is "a slender diamond nearly a half-mile long".
External links
- Historic Wethersfield, Wethersfield Tourism website
- Historic Properties database, Town of Wethersfield
- OldWethersfield.Com, maintained by the Old Wethersfield Shopkeepers' Association