Octagon house tour is Saturday

EAST HAMPTON — One of the few Orson Fowler octagon house designs remaining in New England will be open to the public this weekend.

A rare opportunity to visit the historic Henry Smith House to learn about its architecture and history will be offered Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the Belltown Historic District and currently for sale, the home is a mustsee for buyers and architecture enthusiasts alike, according to a press release from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation.

It was built for Henry S. Smith, son of Nathaniel C. Smith, a longtime politician and town clerk in 1855. The octagon shape was supposed to maximize floor area and light exposure for healthier living, according to Fowler. The architecture and unique features of this type of house are still intact, the release said.

“The current family is only the third to reside in the house and have been fantastic stewards. We would love to see a similar preservationminded buyer take on that responsibility going forward,” Jane Montanaro, trust executive director, said in a prepared statement.

The National Register listing is a recognition by the state and federal governments that the house be preserved. The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation is a nonprofit whose mission in part is to promote the value of preserving historic places, according to the release.

The organization is cosponsoring the event as part of its open house talks held around the state in partnership with local Realtors. The owner will give talks on the history and architecture of the house at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

The event is cosponsored by Karen Coton, Realtor, McCorrison D.W. Fish Real Estate.

The Smith house is located at 29 Bevin Boulevard. Parking is available along the street. To attend, visit cttrust.org/events or call 2035626312.

Contributed photo The Henry Smith House is a historic octagon house in East Hampton.