WELLS SHIPMAN WARD HOUSE HISTORY

This mansion house, as it was known in the 18^th century, is traditionally believed to have been built by Col. Thomas Welles as a gift to his son, John, on the occasion of his marriage in 1753 to Jerusha Edwards of Hartford, a niece of Gov. William Pitkin III.  John Welles owned the John Welles and Co. shipyard and merchant trading business located on the Connecticut River in the Nayaug section of Glastonbury.  In 1764, Welles became ill on a trip to Philadelphia and died, 34 years old, leaving his widow, Jerusha, and 5 children.  Among her dower rights, she received land and a share of household furnishings, including a silver tankard valued at £9.

George Welles, second son of John and Jerusha, inherited the property and sold the “house, barn, cowhouse, and other buildings”, plus the remaining 1 1/3 acre of the homelot, to Stephen Shipman, Jr. in 1789.  Shipman, a shipbuilder, merchant trader, and storeowner, added neoclassical features to the house, such as the Palladian type crown moldings on the first floor, popular among the merchant elites in the Connecticut River Valley.  The Shipman family owned and occupied the house for over 125 years.

In 1929, Mrs. Berdena Hart Ward, wife of Dr. James Ward, purchased the property, decorating and furnishing the house in an English country style. 

Today, this House is in the care of the Historical Society of Glastonbury.  The Glastonbury Garden Club tends the Colonial Revival herb garden.  The Glastonbury Weavers turn out textiles on our 300 year old loom.  Young children play 18^th century games on the lawn.  Young people participate in archaeological digs to find what has been left behind by past residents.  Our kitchen fireplace turns out meals made to “receipts” of past families.  Our barns are filled with antique farming equipment and horse-drawn vehicles.

We invite you to join us.

WELLES SHIPMAN WARD

HOUSE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The House will be open Tuesdays from 1-4p.m. between June 28 and August 30, 2011.

Admission is $3.00 unless otherwise noted.  There is no admission for HSG or Glastonbury Garden Club members.

Archaeology Day - Dig with Dr. Nick Bellantoni and Friends of the Office of the State Archaeologist at our house built in 1755. For ages 12-16.  Friday, July 15, 10:00a.m. – 3:00p.m.  Fee is $10.00, pre-registration required.  Bring lunch and closed shoes. 

Colonial Games Day - Come and play the games the Welles and Shipman children played!  On Thursday, August 18 from 1:00 until 3:00p.m., we will host children aged 6 to 11 years old.  Walk on stilts, roll hoops, have a Tug-of-War, and more! Fee is $5.00, pre-registration required.

Dinner in Jerusha's Kitchen - Join Us forVictuals, Sunday, October 16, 2011, 11:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.

Help to prepare a meal using 18^th century receipts over the coals on our 1755 hearth! Class is limited to 10 participants. Fee is $50.00, pre registration is required.

 Menu to include

Pounded cheese and crackers

Pork Cormarye, a roasted pork loin with a fragrant spice rub

Hasty Pudding with maple syrup from our maple trees Seasonal Vegetables

Apple Pie made with heirloom apples grown on the

Welles-Shipman-Ward property

Flour Bread & Butter

Glassenbury Cyder

Get Ready for Winter - Thanksgiving, the biggest holiday of the year is coming!  So is the winter and the cold.  Learn what they did in 1755.  Sunday, November 20, 1:00 – 4:00p.m.

Calendar subject to change.  For updates or information, call 860-633-6890 or e-mail HSGlastonbury@sbcglobal.net

Visit us at www.hsgct.org.

Welles Shipman Ward House (972 Main St., South Glastonbury)

Directions

Coming from Rte. 84

Rte. 84 East

Rte. 2 East

Rte. 17 South (a left exit)

Go through 2 lights

972 S. Glastonbury, Rte. 17 (also known as Main Street) is on the left. 

The house is a white Center Chimney Colonial. If you go through a third

light you have gone too far and just missed it. There are two entrances to

the property and there is a sign out front that says: Welles Shipman Ward House.

Coming from Rte. 17 from the South

Going North on 17 from Portland

Take 17 North to S. Glastonbury Center, Rte. 17

(Rte. 17 is also known as Main Street)

Go through a light at the corner of Main & Hopewell/High Street in the

town of South Glastonbury

The house is the first driveway on your right

The house is a white Center Chimney Colonial with a sigh out front that

says: Welles Shipman Ward House. 

Coming from Rte. 91

Rte. 91 North & South: Ex. 25 to Rte. 3

Rte. 2 East

Rte. 17 South (a left exit)

Go through 2 lights

972 S. Glastonbury, Rte. 17 (also known as Main Street) is on the left.  The house is a white Center Chimney Colonial. If you go through a third light you have gone too far and just missed it. There are two entrances to the property and there is a sign out front that says: Welles Shipman Ward House.