Converse House and Barn

The Converse House and Barn are a historic residential property at 185 Washington Street in Norwich, Connecticut. Built about 1870 for a local businessman and philanthropist, it is a prominent local example of High Victorian Gothic architecture. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970,[1] and is included in the Chelsea Parade Historic District.

Converse House and Barn
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Colonel Converse House
Location	185 Washington St., Norwich, Connecticut
Coordinates	41°32′3″N 72°5′0″W
Area	2 acres (0.81 ha)
Built	1870
Architectural style	Gothic
Part of	Chelsea Parade Historic District (ID88003215)
NRHP reference No.	70000716[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	October 6, 1970
Designated CP	May 12, 1989

Description and history

The Converse House is located a short way south of Norwich's triangular Chelsea Parade park, on the east side of Washington Street opposite Norton Court. The house is a ​2 ¹⁄₂-story wood-frame Gothic Revival structure, with asymmetrical massing, vertical board siding, and a polychrome exterior. The front facade is dominated by a hip-roofed tower on the right, in front of which is a distinctive seven-sided porch. Front-facing windows are set in peaked-gable openings, and there is decorative woodwork attached to the steep Gothic roof gables. The interior features fine oak flooring, walnut paneling in the dining room, and a fireplace surround with Dutch landscape in tile. The barn appears to be of similar age to the house, which was built c. 1870.[2]

The house in 2016

The house was built about 1870, and is a prominent local example of the High Victorian Gothic style. It was the home of Colonel Charles A. Converse, a local businessman and philanthropist. The main change to the house has been a slight enlargement of the kitchen, so that it could be modernized. Converse is best known locally for donating the Converse Art Gallery to the Norwich Free Academy.[2]

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in New London County, Connecticut

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. Luyster, Constance (July 28, 1970). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Converse House and Barn". National Park Service. and Accompanying five photos, from 1970 and undated

External links

• Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. CT-260, "Colonel Converse House, 185 Washington Street, Norwich, New London County, CT", 9 photos, 5 data pages, supplemental material
• HABS No. CT-263, "Colonel Converse Barn, 185 Washington Street, Norwich, New London County, CT", 1 photo, 2 data pages, supplemental material