Leffingwell Inn

The Leffingwell Inn (now known as Leffingwell House Museum) is a historic inn at 348 Washington Street in the Norwichtown section of Norwich, Connecticut. With a construction history dating to 1675, it is one of Connecticut's oldest buildings, and was an important meeting place during the American Revolutionary War. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.[1]

Leffingwell Inn
Leffingwell Inn in 1961
Leffingwell Inn is located in Connecticut
Leffingwell Inn
Leffingwell Inn is located in the United States
Leffingwell Inn
Location348 Washington St., Norwich, Connecticut
Coordinates41°32′32″N 72°5′17″W
Area2 acres (0.81 ha)
Built1675 (1675)
Architectural styleColonial, Saltbox
Part ofNorwichtown Historic District (ID730019751)
NRHP reference No.70000728[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPDecember 29, 1970
Designated CPJanuary 17, 1973

Description and history

The Leffingwell Inn is located just south of the junction of Town and Washington Streets, at the southern end of the Norwichtown area. It is a 2+1⁄2-story wood-frame structure, built in stages in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its oldest part, the northeastern corner, dates to 1675 and was built by Stephen Backus. The Inn was founded by Thomas Leffingwell 2nd, the son of Norwich co-founder Thomas Leffingwell.[2] Over the next century it was altered and expanded several times, reaching its present configuration, which is a roughly square structure with two main facades and long sloping roof lines along the other two facades, as if two saltbox houses had been joined at a corner. It has many features dating primarily to the 18th century, including casement windows, wooden paneling, and several kitchen hearths, a further indication of the building's evolutionary construction history.[3]

Most of the architectural features of the house are the handiwork of Benajah and Christopher Leffingwell, who made the most significant alterations and additions in the 18th century. Christopher, in addition to operating the inn, established Norwich's first paper mill, as well as a stocking factory. The inn is locally historically important as a meeting point during the American Revolutionary War. It is now a museum property owned by a local historical society.[3]: 4 

The inn in 2016

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Leffingwell Inn.

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. Mahan, Russell, Thomas Leffingwell: The Connecticut Pioneer Who Rescued Chief Uncas and the Mohegans; Historical Enterprises, Santa Clara, Utah, 2018.
  3. Constance Luyster (May 19, 1970). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Leffingwell Inn". National Park Service. and Accompanying seven photos, exterior and interior, from 1960, 1970, and undated
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