Antique Homes Magazine

07/23/2025

Today's featured Shout-Out finds us in East Haddam, Connecticut. One-of-a-Kind Country Retreat Between Boston and New York, a captivating 13-acre estate that straddles the pastoral beauty of East Haddam and Lyme, Connecticut. It offers the peace of the countryside without sacrificing accessibility-just a scenic drive or train ride from either metropolis. The property's gently sloping woodlands open onto wide, sun-drenched meadows, bordered by masterfully crafted stone walls. It includes four unique structures; a distinctive English country style residence, with $200,000+ in recent upgrades, a classic barn, & a charming folly, ideal for creative pursuits or quiet reflection. This home is steeped in history and artistic vision. Rebuilt in 1940 by Stuart Shaw, a beloved lecturer at the MET, painstakingly restored a 16th-century painted ceiling-acquired for just $1-set in a living room wing specifically built for it & is still showcased in this home along with masterful artisan craftsmanship, custom cabinetry, hand-finished millwork, and elegant joinery. Recent upgrades: New central air, renovated guest bathroom, new cedar roof, full-house generator. 66 Hedlund is more than a home-it's a legacy. A place where art, nature, and intention meet. Take a peek!

One-of-a-Kind Country Retreat Between Boston and New York, a captivating 13-acre estate that straddles the pastoral beauty of East Haddam and Lyme, Connecticut. It offers the peace of the countryside without sacrificing accessibility-just a scenic drive or train ride from either metropolis. The prop...

07/22/2025

Today's featured Shout-Out finds us in Watertown, Massachusetts. Victorian home has been lovingly restored and remodeled while retaining exquisite original character & architectural detail, quarter-sawn oak paneled dining room, 2 fireplaces with original egg & dart mirrored mantles and Chelsea tiles with raised designs. A gracious reception area also serves as a sitting room. 5 bedrooms over 2 upper floors and 2.5 remodeled baths give this home a very flexible floor plan and can adjust to any life style. A remodeled kitchen includes white quartz countertops & island, white cabinetry and SS appliances & a breakfast bar. There is a large sitting area on 2nd floor and the 3rd floor includes a large theatre room. Enjoy home projects? Check out the basement area workshop with DriCore flooring. Hardwood floors throughout. Updated heating/cooling systems with 6 mini-splits (with heat) and high efficiency Swiss Runtel radiators on 1st floor. A superb commuter location! Enjoy the varied local restaurants! Take a peek!

Victorian home has been lovingly restored and remodeled while retaining exquisite original character & architectural detail, quarter-sawn oak paneled dining room, 2 fireplaces with original egg & dart mirrored mantles and Chelsea tiles with raised designs. A gracious reception area also serves as a....

07/22/2025

07/22/2025

A historic school for Black children in Williamsburg, Virginia, was rediscovered in plain sight and restored.

07/22/2025

07/22/2025

“One of the things that I have been constantly surprised with while looking into the archives of Old Home Days is really the self-awareness of the people that were putting these events together in how they are trying to control, or at least shape, their own historical place.

—Andy Colpitts reflects on how Old Home Day organizers in New England towns would use the celebration as a means of both representing and re-interpreting their community's history.

In this episode of Historians & Their Histories, we speak with Andy Colpitts, a PhD candidate in the Department of Performing and Media Arts at Cornell University and recipient of a fellowship from the New England Regional Fellowship Consortium.

Andy tells us about Old Home Days, an ongoing festival tradition established at the turn of the 20th century to welcome former residents back to rural New England. He also discusses how these “nostalgic” festivals have changed over time, as well as how his own performing arts training has translated into the field of history.

Historians & Their Histories is available on streaming platforms or our website: https://www.masshist.org/podcast/hath-episode-14-Colpitts

To learn more about MHS fellowships and how to apply: https://www.masshist.org/research/fellowships

07/21/2025

Today's featured Shout-Out finds us in Roxbury, Connecticut. Circa 1851 Historic home known as "Mine and Quarry House" in Roxbury CT is highly significant as the only surviving antique of the mining and quarrying industries in Roxbury. It boarders on over 100 acres of the Roxbury Land Trust and enjoys valley views of the Shepaug River. This charming home is in a very private and pretty setting on 6 acres at the end of dirt road and is only one of the two homes on the road! Truly light-filled, with higher than normal ceilings, it features 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths. The living room with fireplace is front to back and has access to a private rear deck. Sweet kitchen with a sitting area and wood burning stove. Access to the the stunning landscaping is from a glass side porch that easily flows from the center of the first floor and the formal dining room. This property is a sanctuary with an in-ground pool just off the deck with an outdoor shower. The mature landscaping was a 30-year passion of one of the owners. Property includes a 2-car garage . This an enchanting property with enviable seclusion yet is only minutes to Farmer's markets, great restaurants, a general store, and central to everything Litchfield County is known for. Take a peek!

Circa 1851 Historic home known as "Mine and Quarry House" in Roxbury CT is highly significant as the only surviving antique of the mining and quarrying industries in Roxbury. It boarders on over 100 acres of the Roxbury Land Trust and enjoys valley views of the Shepaug River. This charming home is i...

07/21/2025

Absalom Boston of Nantucket, Massachusetts, was twice widowed over the course of his life. The reality of 19th-century medicine meant that men and women often became widows and widowers, and the division of household labor meant that most people who found themselves in such a situation chose to remarry. As a father, mariner, store and tavern keeper, and community leader, Absalom in particular needed a partner to help care for his many interests. On August 5, 1827, he married Hannah Cook, his last wife.

07/21/2025

How did creative people help to shape America’s founding?

Join us on July 23 as Zara Anishanslin speaks about her new book, “ThePainter’s Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists who Championed the Revolution,” which charts the intertwined lives of three individuals who dared to defy the British monarchy: a British artist of mixed race, an enslaved painter, and a woman sculptor.

From London to Boston to Paris, these largely forgotten patriots dreamed boldly and risked their reputations and their lives to support independence.

During the program, Anishanslin will reveal a fascinating and complex story of the American Revolution—fought not only with muskets and bayonets, but also with paint, canvas, and wax.

Register for the program on the MHS website event page, or by clicking here: https://www.masshist.org/events/the-painters-fire

07/21/2025

Ten books about growing up, belonging, and the power of historic preservation for kids of all ages.

07/19/2025

Our weekend featured Shout-Out finds us in Manchester, Vermont. This early 19th century 4 bedroom two-story brick Federal lies minutes from downtown Manchester, VT in a rural neighborhood minutes from golf, skiing, world-class fishing and all southern Vermont has to offer. This was the longtime residence of "King Reid Lefevre" -- owner of a traveling carnival in the 1950s and long time infamous senator of the State of Vermont. The house has been completely and sensitively restored and updated by current owners. The great room shines with top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, dining/living area with fireplace and spacious entry w/powder room, closets and access to attached garage. A spacious center hall leads to three second-floor bedrooms, full bath and small office. The stone cellar shines with a prohibition era bar/bar-back and entertainment area plus wine room and utility room. A large barn includes 5. garage bays, workshop and heated family room/office. There is also a second barn. All on 1.25 acre level, landscaped yard and across Barnumville Road from a handsome Morgan Horse farm. History, serenity and tip-top condition all in one. Come see for yourself and take a peek!

This early 19th century 4 bedroom two-story brick Federal lies minutes from downtown Manchester, VT in a rural neighborhood minutes from golf, skiing, world-class fishing and all southern Vermont has to offer. This was the longtime residence of "King Reid Lefevre" -- owner of a traveling carnival in...