Completed in 1926, this magnificent neo-classical three-story mansion represents the culmination of years of painstaking construction. Designed by Boston architects Blackhall, Clapp, and Whittemore, the steel-beam construction residence was built for Estate owner, also owner of a drilling and tapping machine company and iron foundry. The company was founded during the Civil War to build Yankee hay rakes. During its peak, the company employed approximately 742 people. The company is considerably smaller today, but still in existence.
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The owners widow passed away in 1946, the property was auctioned and the new owner purchased a portion of the estate including the mansion. The property remained in his ownership until it was repurchased in 1972 by the great-nephew of the original owner. He and his wife owned the property until the current owners acquired it in February of 1995.
The mansion is distinguished by an imposing two-story portico and elegant balustrade porches. Inside, the fine interior plaster molding, carved millwork and marble detail executed by expert Italian craftsmen has all been preserved intact. Original lighting fixtures are featured throughout.
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Upon entering the mansion, most visitors are first struck by the glorious crystal chandelier. It is one of many lighting fixtures original with the house, though certainly the grandest and it is believed to be either early Wedgewood or Baccarat crystal. All of the painted wood in the foyer is of solid mahogany. The wood was painted at the request of original owner when he decided that the mahogany was too dark and austere for the entryway. The marble is of the highest quality, imported from Italy. There are a number of features in the mansion that were very advanced for their time. For example, the foyer has a heated closet in which, as in all closets in the Estate, the light is triggered when the door is opened. Also off the foyer is an original bathroom and ladies' powder room (now used as a storage closet). The doors to both, were it not for their handles, could be mistaken for ordinary wall panels, as there are no apparent hinges inside or out. |
The living room was, upon completion, sealed for eighteen months so that the oak-paneled walls could be aged (by what is called the "fumed oak" process) without need of an artificial finish. The ceiling is covered with canvas, embellished with plaster moldings, and then painted, as are all the ceilings and most of the walls throughout the Estate.
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All of the wood sculpting above the fireplace was hand-carved; you can tell by the deliberate omission in the pattern, left by the anonymous artisan to distinguish his work from the mass-produced. The floors here and in the dining room are made of black walnut.
The living room also has its clever features. The wall sconces, made to resemble candelabra, have hand-painted screens and hidden switches (the bases of the "candles" twist on and off). Hanging by the fireplace is a sash which, when pulled, rang a bell in the pantry to summon the servants.
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The music room, also known as the reception room, is richly ornamented, with gilded details on the walls, a herringbone pattern on the floor, and a French cut-crystal lighting fixture. The staircase is nearly as ornate as the one in the foyer; the mahogany banister had originally been covered in velvet. |
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Northeast Realty I-84 Exit 74 2 Gilbronson Road Union, CT 06076 |
E-Mail:
sales@nerealty.com
Phone: 860-684-4455 Fax 860-684-0607 |
