New Haven Register (Sunday) (New Haven, CT)
Own a piece of Milford’s history
Old World charm meets modern amenities in restored home
The coveted opportunity to reside in one of Milford’s most notable historic homes is now within reach.
The Sanford Bristol House is presently owned by Lesley Mills, an award-winning designer and gardener. Mills has painstakingly restored and updated the residence, while taking great care to retain its original character and charm.
“To find a home in the historic district, within walking distance to town and the train, already renovated to such a standard is very rare,” Mills said.
According to the property’s listing agent Carolyn Augur, the upgrades to the home include a stunning gourmet kitchen which expertly blends the old with the new. This enviable space includes a fireplace built of fieldstone with a hearth composed of Connecticut bluestones.
“You’ll also love the Old World charm and wide plank flooring, beehive oven in the dining room and gas fireplace in the living room,” Augur added.
The systems within the home have been extensively upgraded in order to meet today’s expectations for comfort. This includes an updated electrical system, central air conditioning, two high-efficiency gas furnaces and an on-demand hot water heater.
Other updates include three beautifully renovated bathrooms, each outfitted with new tile, large showers and separate tubs.
The outdoor environment which surrounds the property is equally captivating. The grounds have been professionally landscaped and are highlighted by a bluestone patio and walkways accented by established perennial beds.
There are also front and back sprinkler systems, a beautiful crushed shell driveway and mature trees prominently standing guard throughout the landscape.
Augur went on to describe the “gardens of beauty, function and environmental sensitivity” that Mills has lovingly created on the property.
“Massive slabs from the Naugatuck River bed form the steps, patios and walkways; milkweeds invite Monarch butterflies and cast iron tubs from the house overflow with flowers,” Augur commented.
According to Mills, the home’s architecture is unique to Milford; and 111 North St. is one of only four remaining of “The Milford Style.” This particular design features a Dutch gambrel front roof with dormers and a shed roof in the back.
The exact year the home was erected is not known, but there are several factors that contribute to the assessment that the house was built between 1740 and 1760. Town records indicate 1790, but that date only indicates that it existed on the first census, Mills noted.
The history of the property is particularly fascinating. According to Mills, the plot of land on which the structure now stands was part of the original land grant from King Charles II to Ezekiel Whitman, an ancestor of Walt Whitman.
Over the years an interesting assortment of “hidden treasures” have been discovered throughout the home, including a hidden closet that housed a musket of the Revolutionary Period.
Mills would be delighted to provide interested parties with a detailed written history of the property, which is listed on The National Register of Historic Places. The home is also recognized as a “Historically Significant Landmark” by the Milford Preservation Trust.
Listing agent: Carolyn Augur, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, (203) 623-6239 203-623-6239, carolyn.augur@cbmoves.com