Welcome to Thursday Doors! This is a weekly challenge for people who love doors and architecture to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos, drawings, or other images or stories from around the world. If you’d like to join us, simply create your own Thursday Doors post each (or any) week and then share a link to your post in the comments below, anytime between 12:01 am Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time). If you like, you can add our badge to your post.

I am including some of the local houses in the area known as Old Wethersfield in the town of Wethersfield, Connecticut. I don’t have a lot of history to share about these houses, but that’s OK because I have some administrative issues to take care of.

First. I want to extend another round of thanks to Cee Neuner for sharing Thursday Doors as her Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge last week. Cross-links between the two challenges pushed us to a record number of participants, and an amazing number of wonderful doors.

I also want to announce that there will be a Second Annual Thursday Doors Writing Challenge. Last year’s inaugural challenge was well received, but I began the process a little late. The writing challenge will take place in May, but in order for that to happen, we need doors. So, today’s announcement is mainly for Thursday Doors participants.

You may recall that the challenge asks the writers, poets, authors, journalists, well, you get the picture, to choose an image of a door/doorlike object for inspiration. Last year, I think I gave people a week or so to choose a door to share. Given that selecting one door from the hundreds of doors most of our participants gather in a year is a daunting task, I thought it best to start early. I also think restricting people to a single image is a little harsh, especially since we had multiple writing entries last year. However, I do want to offer writing participants a finite number of images to choose from.

So, start thinking about two or three images you would be willing to share as inspiration. Remember, specific images, not entire libraries.

That’s it for the details. Now, I hope you enjoy the doors from Old Wethersfield and the doors linked in by our participants.

If you are in a hurry and don’t wish to scroll through the comments, click to Jump to the comment form.

135 responses to “Wethersfield Houses”

  1. Former resident of West Hartford here. I adore your posts with photos from Wethersfield and Old Wethersfield and spent many an hour exploring there. You’re correct about that mansard roof. There’s some fascinating history behind the French use of mansard roof to evade taxes. I really am enjoying the historical details you hilight.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed these posts. I’ve been through Old Wethersfield so many times (heading to/from DMV) but I never realized all the history that was there. I am so glad these houses have been preserved. I think I have one more week in thie historic district. Thanks for mentioning the French tax connection to mansard roofs.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. What a gorgeous selection of doors and their properties

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed these, Sheree.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I always enjoy your door posts Dan

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Such an interesting post Dan, that first house is a real beauty, the mansard roof is very french …. fabulous photos.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Willow. During the Revolutionary War, there were many connections to France *asking for help) from this town.

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      1. Yes I had heard about that 😌

        Liked by 1 person

  4. […] Posted for Dan’s Thursday Doors […]

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  5. Ah, what’s not to love about all of them! My favourite is the first one, that entrance is dreamy.
    Here’s mine:

    Thursday Doors – Edinburgh

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Sofia. I do like what they’ve done with the entrance of that first house.

      You brought us a wonderful building to admire today.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Hi Dan – I must say these are wonderful photos – and the Mansard Roof house is very pretty … that sort of roof/building I call a ‘card-house’ … I use to live in a flat added on to one of the large Victorian houses in London – back in the 1970s. I’d rather live in Wethersfield! Delightful to see … and interesting history re the tax aspect – cheers Hilary

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It does look like a house of cads, Hilary. I like that. I’m glad you like these photos. It’s such a pretty area. It is amazing how tax and property laws impact architecture. I hope you have a great weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Love the first house with the intriguing mansard roof. So many details to catch your eye. The entryway of the house with the gorgeous red doors and all the details on the porch is a knockout.

    The last house I especially like. Everything about it. Every detail was carefully planned and crafted.

    What’s up with these off-center entryways? Same architect perhaps?

    All these homes are works of art and have been lovingly preserved over the years. They are a treat to see and speaks well of the families who occupy them.

    Wethersfield provides a beautiful tour Dan. Thanks for letting me come along.
    Ginger

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you like these house, Ginger. Sometimes. It’s enough just to see how they’ve been preserved and cared for over the long span of time. I couldn’t choose Bettye first house and the last. They both call out to be featured. I don’t know what it is with the off-center doors. I imagine it was as odd looking 200 years ago as it is now. I can picture the neighbors asking snarky questions. I think it’s why some houses have the entrance turned to the gable end of the house.

      I’m glad you came a long and I hope you can stay dry today and safe when all this rain turns to ice.

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  8. I have a thing for yellow houses, and this one made me go weak in the knees. I also have a thing for red doors, so that house with two red doors is especially beautiful to me. That off-center door? I have to wonder if some builders just have a wicked sense of humor. Old Wethersfield must be a wonderful place to explore — these are beautiful. I’m with Ginger: thanks for taking us along!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’m glad to have you with us, Maureen. This certainly was a fun place to explore. I think we’ll be here one more week, before I need to get out and visit a new town. If you like yellow house, you would love this little district. The one at the bottom made me smile. The off-center door? I don’t know.

      Have a good weekend!

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Oh, Maureen–I saw that off-center door and thought, “Uh, oh. Maureen will not be pleased.” 😆

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I’m going to have to travel east and straighten out some houses. (Thanks for the laugh.)

        Liked by 2 people

        1. haha! I just followed your blog. I cannot wait for you to give them ‘whatfor.’ Back away, Dan!

          Liked by 2 people

          1. Thank — I can picture it now!

            Liked by 1 person

          2. Oh geeeze – I will send this along, Lois, it may help them. I did receive a message from a small team that is working on the problem.

            Liked by 1 person

        2. Haha – I’ll warn them.

          Liked by 2 people

  9. I read your captions and went up and down this post, but I still can’t pick a favorite! They are fantastic, Dan!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I am torn between the first and the last house, GP. The ones in between are pretty nice, too. I’ve tried to spread the remarkhouses around. I have a few more coming next week.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Looking forward to them!!

        Liked by 1 person

  10. […] This is my installment for Dan’s Thursday Doors challenge. […]

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  11. […] a look at Dan Antion’s excellent page to see more Thursday […]

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  12. Interesting to see how people dealt with practical concerns: coffin doors, off center main doors etc. Lovely buildings, but perhaps partly because the worst examples would have been taken down over the years.

    Bora bazar

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Some were taken down and more than a few were destroyed by fire. The houses from the 1700s or interesting, but many are from the 1800s. Some of those were replacements and some were the homes of children of the prominent early settlers.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Old Wethersfield has some charming buildings and doors.
    Mine is an OT one https://port4u.net/2022/02/03/alwyn-court/

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  14. I like the final yellow one best. Although it is a little too yellow for me. But that first house would work brilliantly in a horror movie. I love the windows and the door and the walkway. I’m just saying…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think that first house is going to be my contribution to the writing challenge. It has a mystique about it. I couldn’t choose between it and the yellow house.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. These are such majestic looking homes. So lovely, Dan.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Cheryl. I was fascinated walking around this area.

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  16. Sounds like this will be a fun challenge for all who participate, Dan. And I love the photos you shared here. I think my favorite is the red door and the way they accented the porch columns to match. Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Jan. The challenge was fairly popular last year. I hope getting an early start will help gather some great doors.

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  17. […] For Thursday Doors challenge hosted by Dan at No Facilities […]

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  18. I love this entire gallery with nice big close-up photos of lovely houses and doors. The third photo is especially sweet.

    I’m finishing my stash of doors from the head of the chicken, which is what Slovenia looks like on the map. Have a look:

    Thursday Doors 3/2/22: Prekmurje

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m laughing pretty hard, Manja – it does look like a chicken :-)

      You shared some wonderful doors. I’m glad you like early American historic houses. This is about as old as we get.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. I could very happily live in any of these houses, Dan. They are all beauties. The off-center door is strange, but I do love the shade of green they painted the house–as if they wanted it to blend into nature. The mansard roof…be still my heart. So many of these homes, I’d like to knock on the door and say, “You house is beautiful outside. Mind if I look around inside?” 🙄

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You might have better luck than I would, Lois. I have only encountered a few home owners and the look I got was more of a “get off of my lawn” look than a welcome. I do plan to step inside the ones that are open for tours (when they open for the season).

      Liked by 1 person

  20. The yellow house is cheery, and the color scheme of the Mansard roofed house is lovely. The yellow house that is asymmetrical and the green house with the off center door strike me as odd because there’s no shelter from the weather like rain and snow over the front doors. I’d hate to be fiddling with my keys while having rain or snow drip down my neck. That always puzzles me …why they didn’t have a portico? Costs? Perhaps.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I always wonder if they planned, or had at one time, a more sheltered side entrance. A lot of the asymmetrical main houses have an addition off to the side where the barn or carriage house would have been. I know I’d be adding one. I hate standing in the rain fumbling for keys.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. I enjoyed seeing all of these homes. I have to agree on that hideous addition. What were they thinking? It looks like they wanted their house to look like the back. Also, that gutter downspout is very poorly located, and the electrical meter on the front looks awful. I agree we are not fond of this addition not to mention that green lounge on the porch.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. All good points, John. Running the electrical service down the front of the house is a bad choice. I always wonder if owners might ever find their house here. I’d feel bad, but it’s important to understand that not all changes are good changes.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. That would be a stitch if in comments you got a note from an owner. I’ll just say. “My opinion in no way reflects the gental and loving nature of the author of this blog. My evil thoughts are my own.” (There your’re covered.)

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Haha – thanks John.

          Liked by 1 person

  22. The first house with the gate is definitely my favorite this week! I went a little different this week! Cady

    Thursdays Doors: A Connoisseur Chateau

    Liked by 1 person

    1. A little different, but a lovely collection – thanks!

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  23. The roof chapels (if that is the right name?) are interesting in the first house. Also the fence and path leading up the the front door make it attractive. You won’t believe it but we have a combination of snow and ice today, much different then when I captured the doors in Georgetown! https://livingbetweentworealms.wordpress.com/2022/01/28/thurs-doors-feb-3-2022

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Roof chapels is a good word. I consider them dormers. The house is very interesting, especially the entrance.

      I hope the weather doesn’t do much damage.

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      1. Dormers, that was the word I was looking for, but too lazy to investigate.. Today the snow is melting from the roofs, but this night it will be 20 degr.! Still not used to these huge temp. changes (in California the changes were usually not that steep!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. We swing about 35 degrees each day now.

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          1. I guess we’re in the same boat:)

            Liked by 1 person

  24. Once again I’m impressed by the beautiful and simple geometry of these homes.

    Thursday Doors: You’ve Got a Friend

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The houses have stood against the elements for well over 100 years, some over 200 years.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. I had a a great week people entering doors too. Didn’t check if it is an all time high, but must have come close :D :D

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was a fun week, Cee. I included your group (as of Saturday) in the Sunday Recap.

      Liked by 1 person

  26. That is a great collection of doors, Dan! Love the red door with the decorated porch pillars.
    This is mine from Austria this week:

    Doors in Austria/Österreichische Türen in Linz

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks. I really like the doors from Austria.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. HI Dan, must we email you the photographs of the doors? I have to put my thinking cap on. I like the pink house with the curbed doors best.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. When the time comes, Robbie, I think you’ll be able to give me a link. I just need a low resolution image, I think a screen shot will do. I’m going to try to make this easy.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. OKay, I’ll wait for instructions. I have so many great doors.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Narrow it down to something that would inspire a writer/poet. I know, you still have so many great doors 😏

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  28. I like the garage doors with the big [I think] butterfly above it. What a way to decorate a garage!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I wasn’t sure anyone would notice the garage. Sharp eyes, Ally. Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

  29. There’s a Chinese mythic belief in the curved walkway in front of the door, Dan. They (people believe in Fung Shui) believe that the evil spirits could come in from the front door. They go straight, so if the walkway is curved, they won’t hit through the doors.

    Interesting doors and history.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I like that, Miriam. Thanks for adding that theory. It’s interesting to learn things like that about other cultures or the beliefs of other people.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I wanted to learn more about the Chinese myths and legends, but it’s a huge study which goes back to thousands of years. I can’t make that kind of commitment to do a good research.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. That does seem like a daunting task.

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          1. It is. I settled with learning the summary.

            Liked by 1 person

  30. Another barn! This week my favourite is the little pale house with the blue door. I really like the windows.

    This week I’m sharing another Parisian door, this time at Place de Rio de Janeiro where the previous resident with a list of accomplishments and accolades that makes my head spin.

    https://marlaonthemove.com/2022/02/03/join-me-as-i-discover-the-fantastic-doors-from-my-travels-each-week-this-week-im-at-place-de-rio-de-janeiro-looking-at-the-entrance-to-the-home-of-one-of-the-most-decorated-men-in-france/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The 12-over-12 windows in that little house have a lot of fans in New England, Marla.

      I love the door you shared.

      Liked by 1 person

  31. […] Visit Dan for more Thursday Doors […]

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  32. You’re right, what’s not to love?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks. And thanks for sharing your doors today. The doors and the gates are great.

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  33. Some of those squarish homes look like they have some scary secrets inside😂😳🙄

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    1. If those doors could talk, Cheryl, I’m sure they’d have plenty of scary stories to tell.

      Liked by 1 person

  34. That final, yellow house is screaming out for us to come in for coffee and treats!!! What a pretty porch to sit and watch life walk by. Happy Thursday Dan.

    Thursday Wedding #5 Doors

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Denise. I wish I could invite you in for that coffee and those treats. I really like that house.

      The doors from the wedding house are amazing.

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  35. Dan, another great collection, with interesting color combos. I like the off center blue door best. Here’s my thursday doors: https://wheatsaltwineoil.wordpress.com/2022/02/03/sky-prisms-thursday-doors/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you like these. I liked the stunning church you shared today.

      Liked by 1 person

  36. Running late today. The red Coffin House looks like a huge barn – nonetheless, marvelous! Much snow with this storm?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It does look like a barn, Frank. So far, this storm is all rain.

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  37. That first one is magnificent.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I am fascinated by that house. I love those dormers.

      Liked by 1 person

  38. Hi Dan, enjoyed the doors and more.
    The off-centered doors are always interesting andlike the extras extras on the one with the “mansard” roof (and sorry WordPress had glitches again

    __
    here is my link for this week

    https://priorhouse.blog/2022/02/03/thursday-doors-sturdy-and-strong-2-3-2022/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. WordPress seems to always have something to interrupt the smooth sailing, Yvette. I’m glad you like the doors. I enjoyed your post. Sorry about the funerals.

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      1. Hi – thanks for the condolences
        and it was nice to learn about mansard roofs – I see a few of those boxy top houses (what I call them) here in VA and now I hsve the name
        — and was watching a new home improvement show – “home inspector Joe” and that show came to mind when I saw the roof because he was explaining what flashing was and showed how it can be done incorrectly – and so roofs windows remind me of that

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Flashing on that gray house is critical.

          Liked by 1 person

  39. […] my humble door for this week’s Thursday Door […]

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  40. Hi Dan,
    Your photos clearly took me to another land. Nothing like that around here, and they’re so striking. My favourite was the last yellow house. It’s like a big doll’s house and the white edging is beautiful.
    I was back to Cork Ireland this week. These are from a second doorscursion I went on last week. Doing a doorscursion a week out is fraught with trouble. However, I think I managed to reassemble this week’s offering of doors in something like the right order.
    Here’s the link: https://beyondtheflow.wordpress.com/2022/02/04/thursday-doors-returning-to-the-city-of-cork-ireland/
    Best wishes and many thanks,
    Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We mostly find houses like these in historic districts or in the older portions of the original towns. It is always good to find a nice collection of them, well maintained and preserved.

      Thanks for another interesting tour!

      Like

  41. […] does it today and I hope you’ll take time to visit Dan at No Facilities for more Thursday Doors site-seeing. Entries are from all across the […]

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  42. That yellow is a near perfect shade for a house. Now gray homes trending is not something I’m crazy about. But it does look good on that older home. Love the homes this week.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We put up gray siding a dozen years ago We were one of two gray house on the street. Now it seems they’re all gray.

      Liked by 1 person

  43. Dan, The yellow house in your last photo is gorgeous, and the red paint and butterfly on top of the double garage doors of the blue house make the garage beautiful. Thank you for hosting another outstanding Thursday Doors photo challenge.

    Here’s my entry: https://natalietheexplorer.home.blog/2022/02/04/toronto-music-garden-in-winter/

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    1. Thanks Natalie. The yellow house is one of my favorite ones. I enjoyed walking through another Toronto park. I love the bird houses.

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  44. I’d love to be sitting on that white-whicker rocker in Spring, watching people walk by. Beautiful grand homes, but I think my favourite is the cheery yellow one at the end! Lovely photos for sure, Dan!

    Well, here’s my post; Hong Kong for Lunar New Year! https://brendasrandomthoughts.wordpress.com/2022/02/04/thursday-doors-lunar-new-year/

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  45. […] Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge […]

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  46. I really enjoyed these doors, Dan. The off-center doors are very appealing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you like them, Jennie. Some feel strongly that they should be moved 😏

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Interesting that others see it that way.

        Liked by 1 person

  47. I like to participate in your Thursday’s Door Challenge. What do I need to do Dan? BTW, great pictures of traditional doors.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You just need a picture of a door. The “rules” are in this post – https://nofacilities.com/2022/01/06/we-have-a-winner/ All are welcome, any time you care to join us, we’d be happy to have you in the mix.

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  48. […] Care to join in with Thursday Doors? Go HERE  […]

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  49. Lovely collection.
    Love all the images.
    Colourful indeed!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks. I’m glad you like them.

      Liked by 1 person

  50. Ooooh, I love that first house! And I’m excited about the Thursday Doors writing challenge. So is Steffie.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I am so happy to hear that from Steffie

      Liked by 1 person

  51. You’re so right about that yellow house. What’s not to love? Though the whole collection is nice. :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I was really impressed with this area, Paul.

      Liked by 1 person

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