State Library Displays Historic Local Homes On Internet

August 26, 2009 by Josh Morgan

Driving around Cheshire, one can barely go a mile without being confronted with an old, historic home.
Many date back to the 18th century, marking Cheshire’s long history and growth over the years. But, while many groups in Cheshire have looked to catalogue some of the properties, the State of Connecticut, decades ago, compiled a list of some of the oldest homes in the area, and now, for the first time, that list, and the faded images of those old homes taken so many years ago, is available for viewing on the Internet.
It was 75 years ago when a small group of people made visits to every Connecticut town in an effort to survey old buildings. It was 1934, and the group worked on the Census of Old Buildings in Connecticut and compiled information about the buildings and, many times, took photographs of the property. This information was stored in the state archives, with information being added through 1942.
Most recently, the Connecticut State Library has transcribed the data, digitized the photos, and has compiled all the information online for the public to view. However, the state is looking for help, and by going to the Web site, people can click on the “tell us more” tab and submit information about certain properties.
Perusing the Cheshire section of the Web page, 88 listings are presented, but there are quite a few duplicates on the page. The total number is closer to 45 properties, and a ton of information is offered, including old black and white photos, but physical addresses are absent. When researchers were compiling data, the homes weren’t recorded as being at 1 Main St., for example. Rather, they are listed as “east side facing west on Route 10, by corner of the green.”
Some of the information on the Web site matches up with what the Historic District Study Committee reported in April 2004. One home is at 137 S. Main St., the site of the old Abijah Beach Tavern. The tavern, listed online as CHEH006, was used as an inn and store and was a social institution of Cheshire, according to the Committee. It was also used as a meeting place before Town Hall was built in 1867. The current owner, Dr. Michael Gaudio, said he felt like a “steward until the next group comes along” to maintain and help preserve the town’s history. Gaudio, who purchased the home in 1993, said it has been a “wonderful experience to live with history.”
Gaudio said students doing research projects, some as far away as California, have contacted him to talk about the house’s history. He said he has collected books and articles over the years about the history of the area.
“It’s almost an honor to be allowed to reside here and carry on the history until another generation comes along,” Gaudio stated. “We love the home and the construction of the house. It’s pretty neat.”
Also on the Web site, listed as CHEH034, is the Hitchcock Phillips House, which is now the home of the Cheshire Historical Society. The researchers noted the nine front windows, “fine entrance porch” and “very handsome molded caps enriched with delicate dentils.”
Marshall Robinson, president of the Cheshire Historical Society, said it was “really fun” that the state library had engaged in this project and he was informing members of the historical society about the listing in the next newsletter. Robinson said he hopes residents can “help out the state,” noting that there are “some beautiful old houses” in Cheshire that have been “well managed and maintained” over the years.
“Here is the state library asking for our help, that’s not something you see everyday,” Robinson said. “I think this is just wonderful.”
The Cornwall House, which is home to several different business offices, including the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, is listed in the archives as CHEH021. The researchers note that the home is “very interesting” and has “delicate detail” and was “well preserved.” Chamber of Commerce President Sheldon Dill observed the Historic Districts in Cheshire are “very, very attractive.” Dill, whose office is located in the Cornwall House, said he “can’t help but look at the building and think about all its history.”
“I’ve spent my entire life in Cheshire, and to have buildings like this maintained makes me very proud of the community,” Dill said. “People in this town are interested in the history and preserving these buildings.”
For the complete listing of Cheshire properties and for the opportunity to provide more information for the state records, visit the Web at http://cslib.cdmhost.com/custom/wpaarchsurv.php and click Cheshire in the pull down box on the right.