Historical Society To Offer 14th Annual House And Garden Tour This Weekend

This public is invited to explore nine exceptional properties that have been selected for Newtown Historical Society’s 14th Annual House and Garden Tour on Saturday, July 18. The self-guided event will run from 11 am to 5 pm.

Reflecting the history of Newtown, the tour features four houses, one from each century since the town’s incorporation, and their gardens.

The 1731 home of noted Connecticut antiques dealer Tucker Frey and his wife Marilyn includes antique furniture made in Newtown.

An 1802 Colonial home of Katherine Williams, an art dealer who specializes in antique prints and maps, offers a beautifully decorated example of a historic home.

Donald and Lise Purdy live on Equestrian Ridge Road in a home built in 1968 that contains the unusual collections of the owner, a painter and art and antiques dealer, situated on eight acres.

Built in 2004, the traditionally designed bed and breakfast owned by John and Jane Vouros blends perfectly into its historic Main Street neighborhood.

The tour will also showcase four unique gardens, ranging from a one acre sun-filled perennial garden designed by Horticulture Club of Newtown President Dottie Evans to encourage birds and wildlife, to the 48-acre property that includes meadows, woodlands and gardens and an antique French stone gazebo owned by Gretchen and Dr Humberto Bauta. The couple was married in that gazebo in 1970, and the gazebo was shipped from Toronto to the property at 17 Taunton Ridge Road, a/k/a October Hill, when Mrs Bauta’s parents sold their property in Canada.

The varied gardens and sweeping lawns with lily pool and ponds surrounding an 1830 Greek Revival home and barns at 54 Huntingtown Road (Justamere Farm) contrast with a remarkable 26-acre property recently featured in Horticulture magazine (November 2008). Mary Stambaugh has eliminated all lawns from her property and has installed a rock garden, formal garden, woodland garden, and meadowland.

In addition to the tour, the work of 12 Newtown artists will be displayed in the picturesque Main Street barn behind The Budd House at 50 Main Street. Surrounded by gardens, the home and barn of Shane and George Miller has been a work in progress for the nine years the Millers have owned the property, which they call Roadside Farm.

Proceeds from this event benefit the historical society and will be used to maintain The Matthew Curtiss House Museum and to support the educational programs of the society.

The tour will take place rain or shine. Tickets are limited to prevent overcrowding.

Tickets are $20 in advance and can be purchased at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street; Drug Center Pharmacy, 61 Church Hill Road; The Red Garage, 78 South Main Street; and The UPS Store, 261 South Main Street.

On Saturday, any remaining tickets will be sold only at the Matthew Curtiss House, 44 Main Street, from 10 am to 1 pm.

Information is available at NewtownHistory.org or 426-5937.