Courtesy Hebron Ct American Bicentennial Celebration publication 1976

This is one of the few “mansion Houses” remaining in Hebron Center. By the early 1800’s there were several similar houses along the north side of the Green. These houses featured their long side to the street with five windows over a central front door and might have one or two chimneys. This form of Georgian architecture was favored by local elites as a symbol of their status and economic position in town. In the 1700’s the term “mansion house” was a term used to describe a two story house. Since business transactions were based on credit, having a large house was a way of advertising one’s solid credit standing in a community.

Look at the gable of this house. There are two windows in the attic space and a smaller one above. This might be a characteristic of a builder in Hebron’s past named Joseph Trumbull Griswold who rebuilt the Jonathan Peters’ house at Burnt Hill Park in 1805 and built large houses in Hebron, Westchester, and Colchester.

Think about it

Can you think of any other old houses you have seen in Hebron like this? Most of the other large houses like this one would have belonged to prosperous farmers. However, a large house like this one in Hebron Center might have also been the home of a minister, lawyer, doctor or other professional who might run their farm with hired labor.