House Tour Teaser, The Spirits of Higganum

-Higganum is a village with history, architecture and spirit! On October 5, 2013 the Haddam Historical Society will host a historic house tour featuring some of the village’s most interesting architectural and historical homes. A number of the homes were built when Higganum was a busy shipbuilding and shipping river port. Others date from the time when the village was an active manufacturing center of agricultural tools. The tour will also feature a stop at the Higganum Cemetery where visitors will learn about early gravestone carvers as well as important historic village residents buried there.  The Higganum Congregational Church will also be open to visitors.

The tour will run from 10 am to 4 pm and tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 the day of the tour. The tour headquarters and check in is at the Higganum Congregational Church at 23 Parsonage Road, Higganum. Participants will pick up their programs and directions. A gourmet boxed lunch will be available for $12 and must be pre-ordered.  Selections are at www.haddamhistory.org.

Featured House: The Orlando Burr House on Maple Avenue is a wonderful Victorian era home built in the Stick-style in 1882. Burr, a well-known Higganum resident was an employee at the D.& H. Scovil Hoe Company for many years eventually becoming the superintendent .  The house remained in the family until 1952 and the next owner divided the house up into apartments and rooms for rent. The current owners have returned the house to its original glory including reclaiming the second story porch and painting the exterior authentic Victorian period earth tones.  The house features a sweeping main stairway, genuine kitchen pantry and much original charm. The exterior displays imbricated shingles and decorative lattice work, all typical embellishments of a Stick-style dwelling. The grounds feature marvelous gardens and a reproduction carriage house.

Proceeds from the tour will go to the maintenance and upkeep of the Thankful Arnold House Museum and help support our educational programs and exhibits. For more information visit www.haddamhistory.org.  For reservations or questions email director@haddamhistory.org or call 860-345-2400.