Dan Antion

Return to Old Wethersfield

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A few weeks ago, I was diverted by construction, and I ended up back in Old Wethersfield, Connecticut. Some of you may recall we spent several weeks here back in January and February. Wethersfield is one of two towns that claim to be Connecticut’s first town. Both Wethersfield and Windsor were settled in 1633.  I missed these doors because these are on the outskirts of the district.

I only know some history of one of the buildings in the gallery. The Solomon Welles House was built in 1774 for a descendant of the colonial governor Thomas Welles. At one point, when there was a large state prison in Wethersfield, the warden lived in the Welles house. When the state prison was demolished in 1963 the former warden’s residence, was given to the town by the state and is now is available to town residents for meetings and social events.

I hope you enjoy the views of the Solomon Welles House and the other houses I found in this area. Also, please check out a few links to the doors from the other participants. Also, I am cat-sitting today, so I might be late getting around to some of your doors.

The Solomon Welles House
Another fine porch. This is another view of The Solomon Welles House
The Solomon Welles House
I like how the gate has an arch top that mimics the center arched windows.
I like the porch on this one.
Porch, door, dormers – this has a lot going for it.
OK, turret lovers – here’s one for you.
Plain and simple/
I like the second story balcony as well as the wrap-around porch.
I like the angles on this one.
Looks like they added and added and added.
This is not an optical illusion. It’s just an odd layout.
Round and round.
Side view of our red house.
Another turret. another balcony.
Tucked away in this view

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136 comments

  13. These are mind-boggling, and in a wonderful way! Each one made me think of how I’d barter strawberry ice cream for a chance to visit, especially on those porches. What splendid homes. It’s grand that the Welles house is now a resource for the community.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    • Good eye, Frank. You are correct. I took these photos during the morning commute (for those who haven’t retired like me) and due to the construction, the road was busy. I pulled over to get these shots, but I couldn’t pull back in and make that turn like I normally would have done.

      Like

      Reply

  22. Centuries ago, I lived in Indiana, in an old home with a wrap-around porch. It wasn’t as beautiful as the ones you’ve photographed, but there was magic in those old wooden floors. Have a great day, Dan.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • There are many things to like about that house, but the blue door certainly draws you in.

      I love your post today. There are many things to love about that building.

      Like

      Reply

  24. Dan, you have a hit here with these houses. I like them as much as everyone else. My thoughts were the same as yours about the one with the arched gate and how it echoes the center arched windows. That one wouldn’t have had the same appeal without that gate.
    My doors this week are fanciful. It’s just a quick post, but I hope everyone will click over and “open the door.”
    Hugs on the wing.
    https://teagansbooks.com/2022/07/13/wednesday-writing-thursdaydoors-saturday-serial-call-for-photogs-artists/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I’m not flying the girls overseas, but I do love the idea behind those doors.

      I’m glad you like these photos today. This town is one of the oldest in Connecticut. Not old like the old cities you can visit, but as old as we get.

      Like

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  27. The Welles home is a knockout Dan….that wraparound porch! All the wraparound porches are fantastic. I grew up in an old house with a wraparound porch. The dark grey house with the blue door is an eye catcher. Balconies, turrets, arched windows and doors galore! Great collection of homes.
    Ginger

    Liked by 1 person

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  31. I love the grey house with the blue door. That really works well.

    And … enjoy the cats. My wife and I are looking to buy a house, and I’m sure, once we do so, we will get some cats. This is one of the many reasons for getting out of our apartment. They want a $500 deposit for animals, and a $60 a month fee, per animal. Kept us from getting two cats back in December. Now, they told us they are hiking the rent $300 a month. Time to buy a house.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • I can understand the deposit, but $60 a month? That’s crazy, although MiMi and MuMu both agree they are worth it.

      I’m glad you like that house with the blue door. It’s one of my favorites. I loved the visit to the barber shop today.

      Like

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  32. This was a warden’s house?! At the prisons I used to go to, they were so far off the main road–there were no other houses within sight of them, let alone a place for the wardens to live. They couldn’t wait to leave the premises!
    I could very happily live in anyone of these homes. Every single one of them is beautiful.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I was surprised when I read that it had been the warden’s house. Pretty posh accommodations. Although, I guess when the prison first opened, there wouldn’t have been any transportation other than horses. It was a huge prison. I’d live in any of these.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  34. Forget the doors, I want the porches (even though they’d look ludicrous on our house here.) :-) What I enjoyed most (or should I say, “Found the most diverting?”) was this: “A few weeks ago, I was diverted by construction…” Of course you meant literally diverted but my first thought was that no one ever finds construction that reroutes you diverting. Yup, the word person in me got a chuckle out of that.

    I’m going a little rouge again today with my entry: https://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2022/07/14/thursday-doorsprescott-doors/#tinydoors#uniquedoors#borrowingsomeoneelsesdoors

    Cheers to Thursday!

    janet

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I’m happy to give you a word diversion, Janet. This was odd in that there were much better ways to run a detour. I go the impression that something unplanned happened and they needed to get traffic off the road in a hurry. In any case, I enjoyed the side benefit.

      You brought us some very nice doors today.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    • Thanks so much Diana. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.

      I was so happy when DMV opened an office in Enfield. I’ve only been back to that office once since then. But, visiting Old Wethersfield is a bright spot.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • My grandpa’s house in Arkansas wrapped around the back and one side but that part of the house was on the ground. It was concrete and painted with screens and great cool ledges for sitting. We had the best time running around out there. There was a screen door in the back at the center that led straight to the storm cellar door. It was one of those above ground kind that almost looks like a crypt. More fun running up and down and playing King of the Hill. (Without the propane and propane accessories.😉😂).

        Liked by 1 person

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    • Thank you. There is no shortage of red brick buildings in this part of Connecticut. I like them, especially the 19th century ones where they built a lot of detail into the brick work.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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