Litchfield Historic District
Encyclopedia
Litchfield Historic District, in Litchfield, Connecticut
, is a National Historic Landmark
historic district designated in 1968 as a notable example of a typical late 18th century New England
village. It is the core area of a larger historic district that includes the entire borough of Litchfield
and was designated a state historic district in 1959 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1978.
This residential district is anchored by the Litchfield meetinghouse (1829) and is predominantly Georgian
with clapboarding, gables and hipped roofs.
, the main through routes of the town of Litchfield. The village green
was originally established in 1720 and was primarily used as a common pasture ground, in addition to being the site of the first town meetinghouse, which was constructed in 1723. In the following years, other buildings were built on the green, including the first schoolhouse in the area in 1732, and the county courthouse in 1751, when Litchfield became the county seat of newly-constituted Litchfield County. The use of the green as pasture ceased after the Revolutionary War and became used as a military parade ground. Its transformation into a park began in 1836, when it was officially designated by the town as such. The green was used as the center for recruitment during the Civil War and was also the place returning soldiers were welcomed. In the 20th century, various trees and shrubs were planted, and benches added as well. Several war monuments as well as a memorial fountain were also constructed.
, a one-room schoolhouse that was the first law school in the United States and where Aaron Burr
, John C. Calhoun
and others studied.
Litchfield, Connecticut
Litchfield is a town in and former county seat of Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States, and is known as an affluent summer resort. The population was 8,316 at the 2000 census. The boroughs of Bantam and Litchfield are located within the town...
, is a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
historic district designated in 1968 as a notable example of a typical late 18th century New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
village. It is the core area of a larger historic district that includes the entire borough of Litchfield
Litchfield (borough), Connecticut
Litchfield is a borough in, and the village center of, the town of Litchfield in Litchfield County, Connecticut. The population was 1,328 at the 2000 census. The entire borough was designated a Connecticut historic district in 1959 by special act of the state General Assembly and is listed on the...
and was designated a state historic district in 1959 and 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...
in 1978.
This residential district is anchored by the Litchfield meetinghouse (1829) and is predominantly Georgian
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
with clapboarding, gables and hipped roofs.
Litchfield Town Green
At the center of the district is the Litchfield Town Green in the area of the intersection between U.S. Route 202 and Route 63Route 63 (Connecticut)
Route 63 is a secondary state highway in the U.S. state of Connecticut, from New Haven up to Canaan, running for . It connects the Greater New Haven area to Northwestern Connecticut via the western suburbs of Waterbury.-Route description:...
, the main through routes of the town of Litchfield. The village green
Village green
A village green is a common open area which is a part of a settlement. Traditionally, such an area was often common grass land at the centre of a small agricultural settlement, used for grazing and sometimes for community events...
was originally established in 1720 and was primarily used as a common pasture ground, in addition to being the site of the first town meetinghouse, which was constructed in 1723. In the following years, other buildings were built on the green, including the first schoolhouse in the area in 1732, and the county courthouse in 1751, when Litchfield became the county seat of newly-constituted Litchfield County. The use of the green as pasture ceased after the Revolutionary War and became used as a military parade ground. Its transformation into a park began in 1836, when it was officially designated by the town as such. The green was used as the center for recruitment during the Civil War and was also the place returning soldiers were welcomed. In the 20th century, various trees and shrubs were planted, and benches added as well. Several war monuments as well as a memorial fountain were also constructed.
South Street
Along South Street are many houses. On South Street is the Tapping Reeve House and Law School, also known as Litchfield Law SchoolLitchfield Law School
The Litchfield Law School of Litchfield, Connecticut, was the first formal school offering training for the legal profession in the United States. It was established in 1784 by Tapping Reeve, who would later became the Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court...
, a one-room schoolhouse that was the first law school in the United States and where Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr, Jr. was an important political figure in the early history of the United States of America. After serving as a Continental Army officer in the Revolutionary War, Burr became a successful lawyer and politician...
, John C. Calhoun
John C. Calhoun
John Caldwell Calhoun was a leading politician and political theorist from South Carolina during the first half of the 19th century. Calhoun eloquently spoke out on every issue of his day, but often changed positions. Calhoun began his political career as a nationalist, modernizer, and proponent...
and others studied.
North Street
Sheldon Tavern, on North Street, is one of the contributing properties.See also
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Connecticut
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Litchfield County, Connecticut
External links
- Law School, South Street, Litchfield, Litchfield County, CT: 1 photo and supplemental material, at Historic American Building Survey
- Ozias Seymour Homestead, South Street, Litchfield, Litchfield County, CT: 1 photo and supplemental material, at Historic American Building Survey
- Gerret P. Welch House, Litchfield, Litchfield County, CT: 1 photo and supplemental material, at Historic American Building Survey
- Major David Welch House, Litchfield, Litchfield County, CT: 1 photo and supplemental material, at Historic American Building Survey
- Phelps' Tavern, East Street, Litchfield, Litchfield County, CT: 2 photos, 4 data pages and supplemental material, at Historic American Building Survey
- Elisha Sheldon House, Litchfield, Litchfield County, CT: 2 photos and supplemental material, at Historic American Building Survey
- First Congregational Church, Litchfield, Litchfield County, CT: 8 photos and supplemental material, at Historic American Building Survey
- First Congregational Church, Litchfield, CT: Home page.