Articles
Christmas Walk 2009
[Other articles by Michael Salvatore ]
The eight distinctive buildings featured in this year’s "Christmas Walk on Main Street" represent more than 200 years of South Windsor heritage and may be considered a stroll through history.
Sponsored biennially by the South Windsor Historical Society, the Dec. 11 tour will be held from 6 to 10 p.m., with tickets at $20 per person available at Wood Memorial Library, Crandall & Daughters, and at Highland Market at Evergreen Walk. Alice Marie Pandozzi, walk committee co-chair, said the five homes on the tour were chosen to show a variety of styles and vintages.
The home of Columbo and Karen DiSalvatore at 1742 Main, is the newest shown this year. The stately brick colonial was custom built to the family's plans in 1995. Mrs. Pandozzi said, "Great care was taken to have the house and grounds in keeping with the Historic District."
The home has 6 bedrooms, 3 fireplaces, a circular stairway, hand-picked marble for the foyer and master bath, an upper balcony, a large family-style kitchen, mahogany paneled study, a formal living room, sunken family room, and a great room on the third floor. The custom landscaping includes a winding cobblestone driveway.
A hundred years earlier, Enoch Watson Pelton built his New England farmhouse at 1185 Main. The unchanged woodwork is an outstanding feature. Born in 1813, Pelton made his living as a farmer, married Harriet King, a neighbor, and raised three children in the home. Their descendants have lived in the home ever since. Current owners are Kevin and Donna Woolam; Kevin is the son of Elsie Pelton Woolam.
Mrs. Woolam is again showing her historic barn at 1225 Main. Built between 1745 and 1781, the barn is behind her 1840 home and will feature a living creche, a popular site of the 2006 Christmas walk.
Also dating back to the 18th century is the home of C. Lorraine Jones at 1712 Main. Mrs. Burgdorf says, "Moses Wells from Colchester came to East Windsor Hill in 1750 to establish his hatter's business. His house is one of a kind in Connecticut, so defined by its double hipped, or mansard, roof. With hip-roofed dormer windows in the attic."
The house has the classic 18th century features: center chimney with five fireplaces; raised paneled walls; wide, feather edge boarding; dog-legged stairs,;corner and chimney cupboards; hidden window shutters, double front door; and detailed joinery.
Changed often over its long life, the home was more faithfully restored by the noted Albro Case and by Mrs. Jones, who operates an antique shop south of the house, where Mr. Wells originally made hats.
The oldest home in the walk is a salt-box style "mansion house" owned by John Wolcott II in 1747. Mrs. Burgdorf says, "The house was likely rebuilt by the Newberry brothers for Talcott Wolcott in 1797 as a two story hip-roof dwelling. It passed through several families who were brewers, store-keepers, stone-cutters, cigar makers, and a butcher until finally, in 1851, the property was purchased by Henry Huntington Loomis, a tobacco farmer. The Loomis family stayed for over 50 years." The house was purchased in the mid-1980's by Warren and Catherine Tomak who did a full renovation, adding modern electric, plumbing, heat, and kitchen fixtures as well renewing much of the interior and exterior. Paul , Tracy and Lauren Oates moved into the house in 2003 and removed what was left of Mr. Loomis' tobacco shed on the west side of the house, adding a family room, deck, new porch entrance, and master bedroom above the kitchen as well as the separate garage and driveway. The house maintains some original features from earlier renovations such as a narrow front hall, front door woodwork, 1800's staircase, chestnut flooring and roof timbers, and evidence of fireplaces. The Oates family will display their extensive Santa collection and Christmas decorations.
A combination of inheritance and wealth from growing tobacco here enabled John Pantry Jones, Jr., to build a grand home at 1063 Main in the high style of the 1880's, with all the characteristics of Victorian stick architecture. Mr. Jones was born in Hartford in 1832, a descendant of William Pantry, the wealthiest of the original Hartford proprietors. Mr. Jones's father, after serving in the War of 1812, went into the retail grocery and oyster business in Hartford, then to a tavern in East Hartford, moving to South Windsor in 1847. Three of his sons, John Pantry, Oliver, and Nathaniel joined him in general farming here, gradually shifting to the lucrative tobacco trade.
After his father died in 1880, Mr. Jones decided on his own home. Research by local historian Doris Burgdorf shows that he had the colonial Joseph Phelps tavern torn down to make room for it. She notes the prominent style features a steep, front-facing, gabled roof; decorative half-timbering in the gable and on wall surfaces; bay windows, towers, wall projections, porches on two sides, and magnificent internal woodwork and joinery. He shared the new home with his sisters Jane and Martha. Mr. Jones, like his father, played a prominent role in South Windsor. He served as selectman, assessor, member of the board of relief, and state representative. The home was later purchased by Ralph Lasbury, another South Windsor tobacco farmer and political figure, and is now owned by Darin and Trishna Greer.
Also included on the walk is the First Congregational Church at 993 Main. Originally founded in 1694 under Timothy Edwards, the meeting house was moved and replaced a few times; the present structure was erected in 1844, using some of the original timber. Refreshments will be served by the United Church Women, and the South Windsor Community Band will play from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Featured will be a clarinet choir, a brass choir, flute and saxophone ensembles.
At 783 Main, the Wood Memorial Library and Museum, built in 1926, will have two exhibits as well as a musical program and refreshments served by the Firieds of Wood. A group of 19th century samovars from the collection of Stanley Rabinowitz, professor of Russian studies at Amherst College, will be displayed on the second floor. The downstairs gallery will show the works of Elisabeth Borgerhoff-Pomerleau, a miniaturist who paints in oils on canvases and goose and pullet eggs. Depicted are Giotto's frescoes, birds, Russian folklore and architecture.
Tickets for the walk are limited, and early purchase is advised. In case of a declared storm, the walk will be postponed to Dec. 12, but there will be no visits to 1712 and 1742 Main Street. Visitors are requested to refrain from bringing children under 12, smoking in buildings, or wearing heels. Restroom facilities are available at Wood Library and First Congregational Church. Proceeds from the tour will benefit the Society's Pleasant Valley District 5 Schoolhouse.