We are always the same age inside...

24Nov13
Funny how pervasive the internet is. Our contractor received info from a friend about our house. Turns out it is likely older than we thought. From the Connecticut State Library archives comes the following:

Title.  Killingworth historic building 007.  
Town.   Killingworth. 
Subject - LCSHDwellings; Killingworth (Conn.).
Keywords. Historic homes; Old houses 
About the survey dataThe text in the following fields, up to the Tell Us More field, is transcribed from a survey form that accompanies the photograph.
Date [built] (Source)1767 (marker); c. 1780-85 (?) (EDK)
Present Owner [1935-37]Griffings
LocationFaces east on the west side of Route 81;.1 mile north of Congregational Church.
Description [Material]WoodRoofGambrelChimney Type/No.ofStone / central
HeightStory and half
Fenestration2 windows each side of front door. 2 small dormers on eastern slope of roof. 12/12 and 8/12 sash.
OverhangNone
FoundationStone
Condition - PhysicalGood
AuthenticityOriginal
ExteriorThe gambrel is an unusual type in Killingworth - by far the greatest number of old houses are one and one half story peak.Clapboarded walls. The upper pitch of the roof is very flat, and the lower pitch quite steep. The two small dormers on the front areoriginal. The moulded cornice has small dentils.DoorwayPlain casing and new door at entrance doorway
Tell Us MoreTell us more about the building, its history, its address, etc. mailto: CSL.diginfo@ct.gov Put the Title in the email Subject line.CreatorW.P.A. Federal Writers Project, State of 
ConnecticutDate - Created1935-1942Date - Digital2010 June 28
CollectionWPA Architectural SurveyTypeimageFormatjpegLanguageengSource - OriginalPhotograph, b&w, 4 x 6 in.; Pre-printed form, b&w, 8.5 x 11 in. with typescriptSource - LocationConnecticut State Library, State Archives, RG 033:28, WPA Records, Architectural SurveyRelationResearch Guide to Old House Resources at the Connecticut State Library: http://www.cslib.org/OldHouse.htmPublisherConnecticut State LibraryRightsDigital Image © Connecticut State Library. All rights reserved. Images may be used for personal research or non-profit educational uses without prior permission. For permission to publish or exhibit, see Reproduction and Publication of State Library Collections,http://www.cslib.org/repropub.htmFile Namewpa_archsurvey_kilw007.jpgHeight1232

So suddenly, we may have a pre-Revolutionary War house where possibly Longfellow stayed and wrote The Birds of Killingworth. A lot more work has to be done on this, and though it is hard to see, the date marker over the door does say 1767.

Progress update: new insulation to basement of addition has been or will shortly be in place. We are still working on plans for kitchen changes and readying the addition for occupancy.