House Tour Teaser, The Spirits of Higganum

On Saturday, October 5, 2013 the Haddam Historical Society will host “The Spirit(s) of Higganum, a historic house tour of six architecturally and historically significant  homes in the spirited and delightful village of Higganum from 10 am to 4 pm.  In addition the historic Higganum Cemetery will be a highlighted stop on the tour and the tour headquarters at the Higganum Congregational Church will also be open for tours. Featured houses are located along Saybrook Road and Maple Avenue.

The Federal period Clark Bailey House,  was built in 1828, and features a center chimney and four bay façade, a style reflecting the architecture popular 50 years earlier in Haddam.  For most of the 19th century the property was home to Asahel P. Bailey who was a blacksmith at D. & H. Scovil Hoe Company, one of Higganum’s biggest industries in the 1800s. He was married twice and had a daughter with each wife. After his sudden death in 1901 his daughter, Sabra and her husband, Frederic Kelsey lived in the house until the early 1930s.  Since the house was featured on our 2007 “Purveyors and Privateers” House tour, the owners have continued to improve the home, with a new screened porch and first floor bathroom, as well as new gardens and a new back entranceway. The property features a lovely formal garden which was just getting established at the time of the last tour, and which has the historic barn as the focal point. 

 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 for $12 will be provided by the Cooking Company of Haddam and will be available by reservation. The lunches must be pre-ordered. Call 860-345-2400 for selections and ticket reservations.