The 64^th Annual Open House Day Tour of Litchfield to benefit the Connecticut Junior Republic (CJR) was held Saturday, July 9, 2011 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Conducted by the Litchfield Aid of CJR, an auxiliary, volunteer organization, the 2011 event featured six well-appointed homes and historic buildings, many of which were within walking distance to the center of town and Litchfield's famous historic district. Additional historic points of interest were also included in the Tour. The 2011 event celebrated the Centennial of the Litchfield Aid which was established in 1911, for the sole purpose of supporting the Connecticut Junior Republic.

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PREVIEW PARTY SITE

OLIVER WOLCOTT, SR. HOUSE The Preview Party was held in the beautiful gardens of the Oliver Wolcott, Sr. House, located in the heart of Litchfield's Historic District. This classic post and beam, center chimney Colonial house was built in 1754, by Oliver Wolcott, Sr., on land bequeathed to him by his father, Roger, who was Colonial High Sheriff of Litchfield, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Governor of the state of Connecticut from 1796 until his death in 1797. The earliest extant Georgian house in the area, the home has many historic features as well as an orchard where the women and children of Litchfield gathered to melt down a statue of George III, to make bullets for use against the British in the Revolutionary War.

Please note: The Oliver Wolcott, Sr. House property was the site of the Preview Party only and not part of the Saturday House Tour.

THE FARMER'S HOUSE

Built in 1840, this house was purchased by Joseph W. Goddard in 1883, when developing his estate. The house was used initially by the Goddards' farmer, and as a caretaker's cottage by subsequent owners of the estate. The house fell into a state of disrepair before it was rebuilt and renovated by subsequent owners. Set on 3.7 acres, this home features beautiful landscaping, a family room with radiant floor tiles and many other modern conveniences, while retaining the charm and traditional aesthetics of the 1800's.

THE THOMPSON - DI GIORGIO HOUSE

Designed in 1935 by architect Albert Hopkins Pierce (1899-1974), this home was built for Walter C. Thompson, a former chief executive of the Torrington Company, and his wife, Margaret. The home is representative of the high-quality estates built in Litchfield during the first three decades of the Twentieth Century, and the structure ranks as one of the significant Colonial Revival residences on the south side of the Borough. Set on four acres, the home's original features and lovely grounds have been painstakingly maintained and restored by the current owners. This gracious residence features five working fireplaces and epitomizes the elegance and superb detailing for which the academic Colonial Revival style is noted. Notable highlights include 83 original doors and windows and more than 1,600 triple-glazed window panes; a concealed rear elevator that runs from the basement to the second floor; mature landscaping that includes orchards, gardens, meadows and extensive stonework; and a spacious entry hall featuring a gracious turned staircase.

MACLAREN WALCOTT HOUSE

Built in 1894 by William and Louisa MacLaren on land formerly owned by dairy farmer Ratchford Starr, this property features a carriage house that has been remodeled as a guest house. The original barn belonging to the property is now a residence on Meadow Street. The Wolcott Street residence transitions from Victorian to Colonial Revival and was a seasonal country house with many guest rooms for the MacLarens. The complex rooflines and the use of the clapboards on the first floor and shingles on the second floor are late Victorian, but the symmetry of the north façade and the Palladian window in the gable end typify Colonial Revival. Features include a pineapple doorknocker on the central entrance door, a symbol of hospitality; French doors from the living and dining room to the porch; and fireplaces in the living room, dining room and library.

THE PEACOCKE HOUSE

Built in 1868 by John and Mary Peacocke, this gracious Victorian home remained in the Peacocke family until 1920. The current owners reconstructed the two-story front porch that was removed during the Colonial Revival period. Extensive renovations include the addition of a family room to the rear of the house, featuring a brick floor, fireplace, beamed ceilings, skylights and French doors to the bluestone patio. A side breakfast room was also added and the kitchen was completely renovated to include stainless steel appliances, glass-paned cabinetry, stone countertops and raised relief tiled backsplash. The original servants' staircase remains. Highlights include the coffered ceiling, corner china cabinets, plate rail and leaded glass windows, which accentuate the elegance of the dining room.

THE JOSHUA MASON HOUSE

Built in 1800 by Joshua Mason, this Colonial farmhouse is set on spacious grounds, simply and beautifully landscaped. The deed to the land dates to the "Reign of Our Sovereign Lord George the Second of Great Britain." Said to have been a sheep farm, the original house became a summer cottage known as the Palmer House until 1960, when it became home to a young family. At some point in its history, small rooms were combined to create larger rooms but the fireplaces with new surrounds and some original floors remain.

The present owners made structural upgrades, expanded the kitchen, moved a garage building and opened the grounds to more expansive views of the gardens, apple trees and the new saltwater swimming pool. Highlights include the stunning, enlarged kitchen and the "birthing room" with unusually wide floor boards.

French doors lead to an old patio with a pergola facing the original perennial bed and to two new patios in the back with views of the pool. The old barn has been rehabilitated and contains a guest room/in-law apartment. A breezeway connects the newly located garage to the house in the manner of old farmhouses with attached "out buildings."

PHINEAS MINER'S LAW OFFICE

Silas N. Bronson, who enlarged it for use as the Bronson Family Store. The sale of the property in 1905 resulted in its purchase by a civic-minded group that has owned and lovingly maintained it for more than a hundred years.

The façade owes its elegance and symmetry to the influence of the ancient Green temples and their imposing columned exteriors. Its fluted square posts, tall front door, and very large windows topped by an expressed frieze board, are all typical Greek Revival features. In the 1930's, an exterior building was moved and attached to the house for use as a kitchen and a fireplace was added to the first floor. A 1930's interior redecoration, which covered the original stained oak trim with harsh green paint, was modified in 2006 to create a softer, lighter appearance.