JOHN COLLINS HOUSE

      The oldest section of this Colonial-style home was built before 1765, and is possibly the earliest structure in the Borough of Litchfield. First owned by John Collins, son of Timothy Collins, who was Litchfield's first Congregational minister, this house features a massive granite chimney with two beehive bake ovens and six fireplaces, and a "Tap room" with a cage bar showcasing antique weathervanes. The house has interior sliding wooden shutters upstairs and downstairs, and two parlors with historic furnishings. A stone patio leading to formal gardens and the orchard features antique architectural embellishments.

SKINNER HOUSE PARSONAGE

      This center hall Colonial was built in 1787 by Timothy Skinner, a prominent Litchfield resident. At various times he served as a Constable, Town Treasurer and Selectman. His military background included service as Lieutenant Colonel of the 17th Regiment of Connecticut Militia followed by Brigadier General. The structure became Congregational Church property in 1943. After a major renovation in 1948, the faccade of the home, as it looks today, was restored to its original 1787 state. The enclosed front portico leads visitors to the original double door main entrance. Off the wide entry hall is the front-to-back living room, the study and the dining room. Original features include twelve over twelve windows, raised panel wainscoting and black wrought iron strap hinges on all doors. Additional highlights include five working fireplaces, an original coffin door in the living room, and the bridal garden adjacent to the backyard.

SHANTI BHAVAN (Peaceful Palace)

      This traditional contemporary home, completed in 2004, is reminiscent of an Indian British Colonial. Set on twelve-and-a-half acres of the former "Roseheath," a 1790 estate completely destroyed by fire in 1994, this property is now known as Shantivan (Forest of Peace). A winding drive leads visitors to the entrance of Shanti Bhavan, a fifteen room, slate-roofed home. The massive covered porch incorporates bluestone steps, native hemlock beams, mahogany flooring and a pine ceiling. The grand mahogany double door entrance opens up to a great room, with a thirty-foot soaring ceiling of cedar and mahogany, a full-height stone fireplace, and floors of Brazilian cherry with ash inlay. Other features include a four season sunroom with slate floor and slate wall fountain, a copper ceiling in the study, marble trimmed limestone floors in the kitchen and dining area, and Brazilian cherry cabinets trimmed with mahogany in the kitchen. Newly constructed stables with an enclosed riding ring are an additional highlight of this property.

SHORT ACRE

      A small cape constructed in 1933 on less than one acre of land, this property was aptly named "Short Acre." Today the reconstructed home is sited on over five acres and is the product of two major renovations. In 2004, the kitchen was expanded, additional living space was created upstairs and the floor plan was updated. The grounds of this gracious home include a cutting garden with flowers and blueberry bushes, as well as a "potager" kitchen garden with raised beds for vegetables and flowers. An open air pool house with a European style stucco fireplace allows for outdoor entertaining. Other highlights include a remodeled kitchen with wood burning fireplace, and granite and limestone countertops; and the original paneling and wrought-iron hardware in the living room.

LONE TREE ACRES

      Built in 1963, this sunlight-filled contemporary ranch with red cedar siding was renovated using an open space design and large windows to capture the panoramic, distant views from the main living area and kitchen. Special features incorporated into the renovation include coffered ceilings and reclaimed antique heart pine flooring throughout the living area. The 8-acre parcel features a number of specimen trees. A stone deck above the kidney shaped pool and the landscaping highlight the natural, exposed ledge. The house also has a remodeled open kitchen with a fireplace, polished limestone counters, a backsplash of nature relief tiles created by a local artist, and white oak center island. Other features include a dramatic fieldstone fireplace and surround with reclaimed mantle from an old farmhouse, bucolic views and a rolling landscape that incorporates many beautiful specimen trees.

THE THOMAS CATLIN HOUSE

      This 5-bay, double-overhung Colonial has been dated to 1760, but was more likely constructed around 1770. Built for Thomas and Avis Buell Catlin, the north rooms of the dwelling were not completed until after the American Revolution. The parlor and chamber above were most likely finished in the 1780's in the more-refined Federal style common to many post-revolutionary houses in the center of Litchfield. The parlor boasts eared surrounds on the doorway casings and mantle and the room is grain-painted. There is also a freehand wall decoration and over-mantle painting that Catlin family history attributes to a Hessian soldier befriended by Thomas. There are three 18th century outbuildings: the horse and carriage barn, a hay storage barn and an ice house. What was the cattle pasture is now hayed and provides paddocks for horses. There are two 20th century outbuildings, including a former cattle barn moved from Torrington in the 1950's, and a horse barn.

Featured Points of Interest – 2008

Brookside Farm II Sugarhouse Tour and Antique Tractor Collection

      A 1780's farmhouse with an 1820's barn, Brookside Farm II is a 30-acre farm that produces high quality hay and maple syrup. The Farm is also known for it collection of John Deere tractors. Tour the sugarhouse and learn as much as you would like about making maple syrup, a Connecticut tradition for at least 500 years. Tours will include an explanation of the process and a tasting of the four different grades of maple syrup. The John Deere tractor exhibit includes a 1952 A Hi-Crop – one of only 250 made – and probably the only one like it on the East Coast. The oldest tractor is a John Deere B, made in 1935 – the first year this historic row crop tractor was produced. The exhibit also includes two-cylinder tractors from the 1950's, "new generation" tractors of the 1960's, up to the newest – a 2003 Model 6420.

Haight-Brown Vineyard

      Established in 1978, Haight Vineyard was the first licensed winery in Connecticut. The current winery is housed in a large Tudor-style building which was constructed in 1984. Sited on ten pastoral acres, the building was designed by Dr. Richard P. Vine, a well-known winemaker and author. The vineyard was purchased by Amy and Courtney Brown in 2007. The winery features hardwood floors, a wine bar, art gallery and large French doors leading out to the veranda, which overlooks one of seven beautiful vineyards. Haight-Brown Vineyard currently grows six varieties of grapes and features 13 wines on their tasting menu. Hours vary by season, but the winery is open year-round for tastings, tours and events. The vineyard is home to some of Litchfield's best-known events, including the Taste of Litchfield Hills, Haight to Run 5K and the Annual Harvest Festival. 2008 Litchfield House Tour ticket holders may end the 2008 tour at Haight-Brown Vineyard and enjoy discounted wine tastings and a tour of the wine cellar.

Other points of interest on the Tour include the Oliver Wolcott Library, the churches in Litchfield and Lourdes of Litchfield, a shrine built in 1954 by the Montfort Missionaries as a replica of the famous Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. The Litchfield History Museum and the Tapping Reeve House and Law School, recognized as the first law school in America, will also be included in the admission price of the Tour. The History Museum will feature an exhibition, To Please Any Taste: Litchfield County Furniture and Furniture Makers, 1780 – 1830. The exhibit includes over 30 examples of Litchfield County furniture, including pieces from Yale University, Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford Steam Boiler Insurance Company, and from private collectors.