Silvermine Historic House Tour

Silvermine remains high on “The Go-to List”for seekers of sheer natural beauty.  Located at the juncture of Norwalk, New Canaan, and Wilton, Silvermine’s winding river and scenic waterfalls draw visitors from near and far, especially in autumn.

This year marks the fifth birthday of the popular Historic Silvermine House Tour.  The Sept. 15 event, which runs from 10 to 4,  features six historic homes and a landmark art show.  Participants also will enjoy a catered luncheon and silent auction at the Silvermine Tavern plus an exhibit of area cartoonists.

Houses included this year capture Silvermine’s evolution from an agrarian, mill-based community to a magnet for artists, writers, and performers.   For example, The Henry Hubbell Studio, part of an 1800s farm, was purchased in 1912 by Henry Salem Hubbell, an accomplished portraitist, and his wife Rose for a summer house and studio.   It became a gathering spot for critics, artists and writers, a place, according to Rose, “in which people wanted to play.”  That playful spirit is still very evident in this wonderfully restored home and beautiful gardens.

Three other 1800s homes nestle on the bank of the Silvermine River.  One rests on the foundations of the former Web Austin Mill, where its water wheel ground corn, pressed apples, or cut wood, depending upon the season.    Reconstructed after an 1883 fire, the mill closed around 1911 and was converted to a dwelling that burned in 1964.  Today, the house has been reborn into a light, airy structure with river views and gardens designed by the owner-landscaper.

The nearby Carriage House/Harness Shop was a small outbuilding that supported the Austin Mill.  This charming Gothic Revival 1846 home/studio reflects the current owner’s decorating flair.  Most delightful are the marvelous curved interior staircase and the small contemporary art studio.  Visitors also will appreciate the unique use of space and color and artistic touches that abound throughout this home.

Next door is the 1862 Webb Austin Blacksmith Shop.  The shop serviced horses and wagons, offering equipment mends and new iron parts.  These horse-drawn wagons brought lumber to the Austin mill and took away corn and apples to be turned into flour and cider, as well as treated furs from another nearby mill.  Today the home is a charming river cottage ringed by gardens.

In 1923, Frank J. Forster designed the Normandy-inspired J. Hyde Barnum/Lily Pons House for Jay Hyde Barnum of the Barnum circus family.   Lily Pons, opera singer, and Andre Kostelanetz, conductor, were married there in 1938.  Both were involved in radio concerts and Lily in cinema, a new entertainment.  Lily’s favorite number was 13.  Her birthday fell on Friday the 13th, and she arranged to have her address listed as 13 Silvermine Avenue.  Poor Andre even had to propose 13 times before she accepted.

A mid-1930s Arts and Crafts inspired home and cottage will delight visitors with its field stone hearth, slate kitchen, and Nantucket-style decoration.  During the 1955 flood, this home became a refuge when the Silvermine River gutted the Perry Avenue Bridge and flooded nearby homes.  Its docent home-owner is noted for his knowledge of Silvermine’s past and is sure to regale visitors with many “juicy bits” about the home’s history.

Solon Borglum’s 1907 studio serves as the venue for an art show highlighting works of 25 artists who clustered around the renowned sculptor and held weekly critiques at his barn studio.  This “Knocker’s Club” evolved into what was called the Silvermine Group of Artists including now famous figures such as D. Putman Brinley, Helen Hamilton, Frank Hutchens, and Charles Reiffel.   Art aficionados will love this, since rarely in almost 50 years has an historic show of this many original Silvermine artists been offered.

An historic and educational exhibit highlighting Silvermine’s past and present cartoonists also will take place at the 1840 Silvermine Tavern Country Store.  In the late 1800s, the Hyatt family used this building as a store, church hall, blacksmith shop, and dance hall.   It was allegedly a Temperance Hall in the early 1900s, possibly in reaction to the speakeasy in the Tavern across the road.  Later, the store became part of the Silvermine Tavern properties and was the home of John Byard.  Today, it houses a thriving antique business.

NASH (Norwalk Association of Silvermine Homeowners) is sponsoring this tour, with assistance from SCA (Silvermine Community Association).  Proceeds benefit historic and neighborhood conservation efforts, and jitney service will be provided.  Tickets are $85 for the general public and $75 for NASH and SCA members. Ticket information is available from Molly at 203-846-0722 or at silverminehousetour2012@yahoo.com.