William E. Lohrman, New Paltz, N.Y.

Historic Homewreck:

By W.A. Demers

HARTFORD, CONN. – The Antiquarian and Landmarks Society has as one of its key objectives “to abate the destruction of old and interesting buildings . . . in Connecticut.” That goal was severely tested on Sunday, August 3, when a sport utility vehicle (SUV) plowed into the society’s flagship property, the Butler-McCook Historic Homestead, Hartford’s oldest house. Having weathered three centuries of life on Main Street, the 1782 homestead was no match for an errant SUV that landed completely inside the south parlor of the newly renovated house, according to Bill Hosley, the society’s executive director.

“It’s outrageous and sad,” said Hosley. “In addition to destroying two rooms, the force of the collision pushed a piano through the wall into the Rev McCook’s study, demolishing a cabinet filled with Japanese art treasures. A beloved painting of Talcott Mountain by Hartford’s Hudson River School artist William Wheeler was destroyed, as well as a sofa made in 1837 by Isaac Wright, one of Hartford’s last [period] furniture makers.”

The accident occurred about 5:30 am. The driver of the vehicle, a Hartford resident, was reportedly charged with operating a motor vehicle while under suspension, misuse of license plates and driving an uninsured and unregistered vehicle. He was listed in stable condition at Hartford Hospital late Sunday. According to Hosley, the SUV smashed through the front of the newly restored and revitalized Butler-McCook House, landing sideways in the south parlor.

The accident occurred just two months after the Butler-McCook house and garden had reopened to the public after a four-year, $1.3 million renovation. The homestead hosts summer school groups, walking tours and programs.

“Although strong post and beam construction prevented total destruction of the house, the damage is incalculable,” said Hosley. Fortunately, he added, the Main Street History Center, the focal point of the site’s recent revitalization, was not damaged.

Although the cost of the damage is undetermined, Hosley believes the museum can be restored and that modified operations could resume in a matter of weeks. “Connecticut is home to some of the nation’s best art, decorative arts and historic building conservators,” he noted. “Conservators with expertise in carpets and textile, ceramics and glass, furniture, upholstery, paintings, lacquer work and metals will be needed to make Hartford’s time capsule whole again.”

Besides being Hartford’s oldest house, the 1782 homestead also contains Hartford’s oldest collection of art, antiques and household rdf_Descriptions. Its restored Victorian garden is the only surviving domestic commission by pioneer landscape architect Jacob Weidenmann, designer of Hartford’s Bushnell Park and Cedar Hill Cemetery. The house was acquired by the Antiquarian & Landmarks Society in the 1970s. A description on the society’s website characterizes the property as revealing “fascinating layers of history and culture: religion, law, medicine, education, social services, fine art and antiques collecting, childhood, domestic and machine-based industries, Civil War and military service, worldliness, female education, patriotism, institution building, philanthropy, landscape architecture and family.”

Originally built for Dr Daniel and Sarah Sheldon Butler, the homestead sheltered the family of Eliza Butler and her husband, the Rev John McCook, along with their seven children. Nearly two centuries of family possessions are displayed along with an unusual collection of Japanese armor with fine American paintings, antiques and Victorian period toys.

“What an irony,” remarked Hosley. “The family stood up to the wrecking ball of urban renewal and for 100 years fought to preserve this remarkable sanctuary to Hartford’s glorious past. We urge friends of Connecticut history and material culture to extend a hand. We are determined to make it right and assure that the light of Hartford’s history is never extinguished on Main Street.”

Full restoration will likely take the better part of a year, said Hosley. “Although our insurance coverage is good, the cost of doing things right and making it whole are sure to exceed our coverage.” The society has established a Hartford Heritage Relief Fund. Dollars raised will be applied to undertaking a model conservation effort. “We estimate the gap between ‘replacement value’ and ‘doing it right’ could be as high as $100,000,” said Hosley. Tax-deductible contributions may be sent to the A&L Society 66 Forest Street, Hartford, CT 06105.