History
The Middlebury Community House built in 1816 - 1817, is the most complete Federal Style building still intact in Middlebury. The house has four high rising chimneys and is crowned by a white wooden balstrade over the eaves. The white wooden fence along a stonewall terrace, has alternating long and short pickets that emphasize the height of the house outline and broaden the base line. A graceful curved door hood, called a Belcast, shelters the doorway. The only one left in Middlebury. The house was built by the Honorable Horatio Seymour and remained a family home until his great grandchildren Jessica Stewart and Philip Stewart gave the house to the people of Middlebury in 1932.
This 190 year old community house in managed under the directorship of
a ten member volunteer board, five directors are appointed according to
the By-laws and five members at large. Today the house is used for
meetings, community events, special functions and tours.
A house director schedules the calendar. There is a donation rate schedule that
is followed however, non-profits and children's events are offered at
little or no charge. Jessica Stewart Swift specified her desire to
welcome children into the home whenever possible.
You will notice when you step inside, the many hand turned woodworking details that delight the eye. The center of the house is a symphony of curves. The graceful spiral of the stairway, with mahogany rail and hand turned spindles, is an open end design which vary in width from 19" down to 7" in a reverse circle. At the back of the hall you will see a steam formed door with a distinctive concave that follows the lines of the entire stairway open ellipse. Architectural elements on stais, over doorways, on the fireplaces in the house are simplistic yet graceful and elegant.
In 1875 the house was remodeled Victorian shutters were set inside lower windows, blue, gold and white cloisonné enamel door knobs, hinges and finger plates were added all imported from Russia. Bathrooms were installed for the first time.
First floor rooms include two parlors joined by pocket doors, a library, dining room and modern kitchen.
Second level offers a boardroom, original bedroom of Jessica Stewart Swift, as well as other rooms that can be part of the house tour.
For all the beauty of the house the most unique part is the most utilitarian, the kitchen in the cellar. The kitchen's fireplace with attach back oven have a 6 foot span of brickwork with three opening on top. Each opening has its own firebox and ash pit. One opening holds a copper kettle, another is shallow, possibly for boiling laundry on washday. The walls are two feet thick, forming the foundation of the house. A four foot outside door was used to bring in wood for fuel and large deliveries of food in its day. The house was built to highlight the slope of the land, windows were used in the basement to prevent dark damp environment that most homes built at this time had.
The back side of the house has a lovely sitting porch, slopping yard and privacy for outdoor gatherings.
Thank you for visiting our site. Please call and schedule a personal visit - we welcome your interest.
Photos courtesy of Curtis Rhodes Photography of Middlebury, VT.
Website by: Eternity Web of South Burlington, VT.
