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The 62^nd Annual Open House Day Tour of Litchfield to benefit the Connecticut Junior Republic (CJR) will be held Saturday, July 11, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, rain or shine. Conducted by the Litchfield Aid of CJR, a charitable, volunteer organization, the 2009 event features five private homes on Litchfield¹s famous North and South Streets, all within walking distance to the Center of town. Additional historic points of interest are also on the Tour and this year, guests will enjoy riding a trolley along the Tour route.

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      THE LYNDE LORD HOUSE, Located on three acres in the heart of the Litchfield Historical District, the site of this year's Preview Party is the garden and grounds of the Lynde Lord House. The main house, known as the Lynde Lord House, has a high gambrel roof and fence finials. Originally built in 1771 for Lynde Lord, the last High Sheriff of Litchfield under the English, the house was purchased by William Deming in 1832 and remained in his family until the 1950's. The second structure, built in 1895 and situated in an old apple orchard, is the Lynde Lord Carriage House. The carriage house was remodeled in 1913 and converted to a residence in 1967, at which time a living room was added to the north side. The current owner restored the carriage house to its near original state in 2000. The stunning gardens have been featured on a number of house tours, including the Garden Conservancy, and consist of two formal parterres which are set against the backdrop of its main residence. The upper garden has a small alpine terrace set within a more formal English style perennial garden. Additional highlights include a small central reflecting pool, brick pathways, an herb garden, and a small central knot garden, which contains a sampling of flowers and medicinal and culinary herbs.

NOTE: The Lynde Lord garden and grounds are the site of the Preview Party only and not part of the July 11th Open House Tour.

NOTE: The Lynde Lord House is the Preview Party location only and not part of the July 11th Open House Tour.

OZIAS LEWIS HOUSE


      Ozias Lewis (1749-1812), a Justice of the Peace for Litchfield County, built this five-bay Federal-style house in 1806. He and his wife Lucia  Lucy  (Bigelow) Lewis, along with their thirteen children, farmed the property. The home remained in the Lewis family until 1863. In the nineteenth century, the entrance portico flanked by Ionic columns was removed from the Tapping Reeve House, also located on South Street, and added to the Lewis house. By 1859, a north ell had been added to the home and a south ell was added by 1910. In 1998, an extensive four-year renovation of the U-shaped structure was undertaken by the current owner. Highlights of this home include the original curved staircase in the entry foyer; original wood paneling in the front parlor and library; two original fireplaces; and gorgeous gardens on over seven acres, rolling down to the Bantam River.

TOMORROW'S RANCH

      This warm, airy contemporary ranch-style home was built in 1957 by a local doctor, prior to the establishment of the Historic District. Designed to be used as both his home and office, and considered controversial because of its style, the construction of this home prompted the creation of Litchfield's Historic Commission. An extensive renovation by its present owners dramatically changed the typical configuration of a ranch style house, and an open floor plan was created, featuring a high ceiled rear addition. A radiant-heated family room with a green tile floor and a separate dining room are located in this addition. Beveled glass French doors lead to the family room, which features a gas fireplace that fills an entire corner. Additional French doors lead outdoors onto a large custom deck, complete with built in benches and planter boxes, which overlook the sweeping lawn. Other highlights include the relocated kitchen with skylight; different color granite slabs on the cherry wood island and on the countertops; a marble faced fireplace with handcrafted cherry wood surround in the living room; family room hearth and mantle of green/purple slate from upstate New York; extensive use of vintage lighting; and a large craft room with heated floor and storage galore.

OLIVER WOLCOTT HOUSE

      A classic post and beam, center chimney Connecticut Colonial house, this home was built in 1754, by Oliver Wolcott, Sr., and is the earliest extant Georgian house in the area. The house was constructed 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 Connecticut from 1796 until his death in December 1797. On September 23, 1780, while en-route to West Point to meet with Benedict Arnold, George Washington stopped at this house to have dinner and to sleep. The property also has an orchard where the women and children of Litchfield gathered to melt down a statue of George, III, to make bullets for the Revolutionary War soldiers to use against the British. The front of the house has a five-bay central chimney pile and Doric columns. A Colonial Revival south wing was added during the 1890¹s, and a ³new² kitchen was added circa 1860 to accommodate the new technology of the cast iron stove. The barrel porch was added around 1805 and contains the pediment originally surrounding the front door. A 1982 restoration utilized 18th century techniques. Paint analyses enabled the owners to replicate those of the original colors. In 1972 the house was awarded a brass plaque and a designation as a National Historic Landmark ­ rare for a private home. It was chosen because of its architectural purity and because it was the home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

JULIUS DEMING HOUSE (THE LINDENS)

      This High Federal style home was built between 1790 and 1793 and originally belonged to Julius Deming (1755-1838), his wife Dorothy, and their eight children. The architect was William Sprats, who later built other homes throughout New England and New York. This house is considered one of the finest he created and has been copied at least five times. In 1887, Deming's grandson, Julius Deming Perkins, hired the New York firm of Rossiter and Wright to renovate. Further renovations were made by owner Ludlow Bull in 1936. Highlights of this home include the original front door with imported English hardware and glass light; hardwood woodwork and paneling carved by local craftsmen in the parlor and library; the Victorian bay window in the dining room; the Rossiter Great Room with two fireplaces; and the original Deming store building in the backyard.

DR. REUBEN SMITH HOUSE

      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 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 &ndash 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.

There are three ways to order tickets in advance for the Litchfield House Tour:

• By mail: Click here and print-out the order form.
  Mail it in along with your check or credit card information and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:
  Litchfield Aid of CJR, P.O. Box 214, Litchfield, Connecticut 06759.
  
• Click here to use the handy online order form.

Tickets will be available on the day of the tour for $30.00 each for adults and children at the ticket tent on the Green. (No charge for infants.)

A special group rate of $20.00 per person is offered for tour groups that reserve
a minimum of 20 tickets by June 30. Contact Judi Goddard at CJR , 860-567-9423, ext. 253.