Levi B. Frost House
Encyclopedia
The Levi B. Frost House, also known as Asa Barnes Tavern, is an historic house at 1089 Marion Avenue in the Marion
section of Southington
, Connecticut
, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
for its architectural and historic significance.
Asa Barnes established a tavern
in this home at around 1765, when Marion Avenue was part of a north-south road connecting Bristol
and New Haven
. During the American Revolutionary War
, in 1781, troops under French
general Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau
established their eighth campsite of their route nearby on French Hill, and Landlord Barnes entertained the officers in his tavern for the four nights of the encampment
. Rochambeau visited Barnes' Tavern again on the return march on October 27, 1782.
The building that housed Barnes' house and tavern was partially destroyed in a fire in 1836. After the fire, the house's owner, Levi B. Frost, rebuilt the structure. Frost, a blacksmith
who was later to become the proprietor of an early factory
in Marion, rebuilt the house in the Greek Revival style that was popular in the middle of the 19th century, incorporating a full pediment
ed gable, three-bay facade
, recessed front doorway that is flanked by plain pilaster
s that support an entablature
with projecting cyma cornice
characteristic of Greek Revival buildings. What is uncharacteristic of the Greek Revival style is the building's length of 50 feet, which may be the result of the original 18th century structure that forms its foundations. Investigators have been unable to determine what, if any, elements of the pre-1836 building remain. The rear room has well-worn chestnut planks, a large fireplace and stone hearth, and separate exterior door, suggesting that it is old and may be the taproom of the former tavern. The front of the building generally appears to be newer, as it bears the most characteristic details of the Greek Revival style, including wide pine floors, a front stairway rising to the left, a large front room on the right and detailing of stairway treads, risers, railing and handrail that appear to be original of the mid-century design.
The house is now a private residence. In 1987 the house was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places
for its architectural and historical significance. It is also part of the Marion Historic District
.
Marion, Connecticut
Marion is a neighborhood in the town of Southington in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is generally the area in the vicinity of the intersection of Route 322 and Marion Avenue just north of the Cheshire town line....
section of Southington
Southington, Connecticut
Southington is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is part of Connecticut's 1st congressional district. It is situated about 20 miles southwest of Hartford, about 80 miles northeast of New York City, 105 miles southwest of Boston and 77 miles west of Providence...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
for its architectural and historic significance.
Asa Barnes established a tavern
Tavern
A tavern is a place of business where people gather to drink alcoholic beverages and be served food, and in some cases, where travelers receive lodging....
in this home at around 1765, when Marion Avenue was part of a north-south road connecting Bristol
Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. Bristol is primarily known as the home of ESPN, whose central studios are in the city. Bristol is also home to...
and New Haven
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
. During the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, in 1781, troops under French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
general Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau
Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau
Marshal of France Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau was a French nobleman and general who participated in the American Revolutionary War as the commander-in-chief of the French Expeditionary Force which came to help the American Continental Army...
established their eighth campsite of their route nearby on French Hill, and Landlord Barnes entertained the officers in his tavern for the four nights of the encampment
Military camp
A military camp or bivouac is a semi-permanent facility for the lodging of an army. Camps are erected when a military force travels away from a major installation or fort during training or operations, and often have the form of large campsites. In the Roman era the military camp had highly...
. Rochambeau visited Barnes' Tavern again on the return march on October 27, 1782.
The building that housed Barnes' house and tavern was partially destroyed in a fire in 1836. After the fire, the house's owner, Levi B. Frost, rebuilt the structure. Frost, a blacksmith
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
who was later to become the proprietor of an early factory
Factory
A factory or manufacturing plant is an industrial building where laborers manufacture goods or supervise machines processing one product into another. Most modern factories have large warehouses or warehouse-like facilities that contain heavy equipment used for assembly line production...
in Marion, rebuilt the house in the Greek Revival style that was popular in the middle of the 19th century, incorporating a full pediment
Pediment
A pediment is a classical architectural element consisting of the triangular section found above the horizontal structure , typically supported by columns. The gable end of the pediment is surrounded by the cornice moulding...
ed gable, three-bay facade
Facade
A facade or façade is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning "frontage" or "face"....
, recessed front doorway that is flanked by plain pilaster
Pilaster
A pilaster is a slightly-projecting column built into or applied to the face of a wall. Most commonly flattened or rectangular in form, pilasters can also take a half-round form or the shape of any type of column, including tortile....
s that support an entablature
Entablature
An entablature refers to the superstructure of moldings and bands which lie horizontally above columns, resting on their capitals. Entablatures are major elements of classical architecture, and are commonly divided into the architrave , the frieze ,...
with projecting cyma cornice
Molding (decorative)
Molding or moulding is a strip of material with various profiles used to cover transitions between surfaces or for decoration. It is traditionally made from solid milled wood or plaster but may be made from plastic or reformed wood...
characteristic of Greek Revival buildings. What is uncharacteristic of the Greek Revival style is the building's length of 50 feet, which may be the result of the original 18th century structure that forms its foundations. Investigators have been unable to determine what, if any, elements of the pre-1836 building remain. The rear room has well-worn chestnut planks, a large fireplace and stone hearth, and separate exterior door, suggesting that it is old and may be the taproom of the former tavern. The front of the building generally appears to be newer, as it bears the most characteristic details of the Greek Revival style, including wide pine floors, a front stairway rising to the left, a large front room on the right and detailing of stairway treads, risers, railing and handrail that appear to be original of the mid-century design.
The house is now a private residence. In 1987 the house was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
for its architectural and historical significance. It is also part of the Marion Historic District
Marion Historic District (Cheshire and Southington, Connecticut)
The Marion Historic District is a historic district in the Marion section of Southington in Hartford County, Connecticut. The district also includes two houses on the Cheshire side of the town line between Southington and the town of Cheshire in New Haven County. The historic district was listed...
.