The Town of Glastonbury is resplendent with historical arcitecture worth keeping safe.Take, for example, the WELLS~SHIPMAN~WARD HOUSE:

Colonel Thomas Welles a wealthy Glastonbury shipbuilder and his wife Martha Pitkin Welles built the house at 972 Main St (Rt 17), S. Glastonbury, in 1755 for their son John Welles. In 1753 John married Jerusha Edwards (daughter of Samuel and Jerusha Pitkin Edwards). They had 6 children born from 1754 through 1763 (one dying in infancy). In 1764, John died from pneumonia at age 35, leaving Jerusha with 5 children ranging from age 10 to 1. In 1773, the eldest son, John Jr. married Mehitabel Goodrich (daughter of William and Mehetabel Hollister Goodrich). They made their home with Jerusha and John’s siblings at this property and had 7 children, born from 1774 through 1788 (the eldest died young).

The Revolutionary War was costly to the Welles family having built 3 privateers, which were not profitable, putting the family heavily in debt. In 1789, the house was lost to two creditors, Stephen Shipman, Jr., and Nathaniel Talcott, Jr. Shipman bought Talcott’s share of the house around 1790, and the Shipman family retained the home for more than 100 years. Dr. and Mrs. James Ward purchased it in 1925. The Historical Society of Glastonbury obtained the House in 1963 through a bequest from Berdena Hart Ward, a Society member.

The House, cited by the United States Department of the Interior “as possessing exceptional architectural interest,” is known for its enormous fireplace in the kitchen. The elaborate paneling and molding in the parlors have been noted in books on New England architecture as prime examples of their style. Upstairs, the Glastonbury Weavers display their craft on antique equipment, while the Northeast Chamber has children’s drawings etched on the walls. The Glastonbury Garden Club maintains the 18th century-style herb garden and grounds. The barns are filled with antique farming, household, and 19th century horse-drawn vehicles