One Echo Hill by Grim&Boesch

ONE ECHO HILL New Canaan

ESTATE PORTRAYAL ONE ECHO HILL NEW CANAAN

ONE ECHO HILL

Beginnings Surroundings Alterations Character Seasons

Beginnings

he rich history of One Echo Hill Road is closely tied to the beginnings and history of the area and New Canaan itself. The original house had already endured many New England seasons, when in 1731 Canaan Parish was established and the right to form a Congregational Church was stipulated. Records do not fully reveal if the oldest part of the house was moved from another location or originally erected on site, however the earliest indication for the age of the house is linked to the large masonry fireplace of its former keeping room that dates back to 1710. With few settlements in the area in the early 1700s the house was likely occupied by one of the families that were among the residents that founded the New Canaan Congregational Church in 1733. The formation of the Parish is considered the beginning of New Canaan, which, 70 years later, in 1801 was officially incorporated as town. One Echo Hill is one of the oldest homes in town and its history ever present. The authentic charm is especially manifested in the rectangular keeping room with its large masonry fireplace, massive fieldstone hearth and original, up to 20 inch wide, wooden planks. The room now serves as formal entry hall and link between the spacious kitchen, the living room, sunroom and the original main stair. The original front door was moved from its former position across the antique stair during the recent renovation and expansion in 2006. Its door leaf needed repair and was therefore altered, but it was carefully restored with original floor planks from the house.

Surroundings

he original 18th century house was first expanded in the early 1800s when a cottage was moved from New Hampshire and added along the southeast exterior wall. Located in New Canaanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Silvermine area, at the end of a gently sloping private road, One Echo Lane is part of historic Silvermine which dates back to the same period as the original house. During the 18th and 19th century various mills appeared along the Silvermine River, which until today remains the heart of Silvermine. A stone bridge on Perry Avenue, built in 1899, near the remarkable Silvermine Tavern, replaced a series of wooden bridges that date back to 1813 - the bridge was the only Silvermine property listed on the National Register of Historic Places when established in 2006 until a few years later the Silvermine Center Historic District was constituted.

The quaintness of the area and Silvermine’s rich history attracted artists in the early 20th century, who transformed it from mill center to artists’ enclave. Their beginnings can be traced back to the artist Solon Borglum who established his studio 1906 in a former barn and christened it ‘Rocky Ranch’. An impressive list of painters, illustrators, landscape artists and writers followed Borglum and formed a group that was soon known as The Silvermine Group of Artists and later formalized as the Silvermine Guild of Artists. Beside its history and culture, Silvermine’s narrow, winding roads and old woods, form a pristine idyllic area with gurgling streams and placid ponds. Wardwell Pond is adjacent to One Echo Hill and located within the property lines of the 5-acre lot. The pond serves as private fishing ground from spring to fall and as ice skating rink during the winter. Monumental trees line the property, shading the house, and the pool. Typical New England stone walls and woodlands frame this serene landscape of undulating grounds, lush lawns, majestic trees and immaculate herb and flower gardens.

Alterations

he alterations of 2006 carry on the houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey through the centuries and skillfully reorganize its flow. The former guest house, which was erected close to the original house, was consolidated and linked by the new northeast stairway. This new link elegantly centers the expanded kitchen within the layout of the first floor and promotes its function as communal family space; its previous size is still evident by the exposed main wooden framework that marks the former footprint. The kitchen now stretches the entire depth of the main house from an extended covered porch in the front to the herb garden in the back. It is spacious and comfortably houses a small office area, a large country dining table, a food island and considerable counter space. Its generous overall character is reminiscent to the traditional historic colonial kitchen which used to be the center of all activities: food preparation, child play, study by the light of a fireplace, a source of heat on cold winter days... a family space to congregate.

econd floor modifications include the expansion of the master suite, creating an open series of spaces with the master bedroom in its center. The new master bath features a freestanding signature tub with beautiful classic fixtures and a large custom designed vanity. The new and bright master bedroom is elevated from the original second floor level and connects with a few steps to the adjacent studio. This open flow creates an even more generous feel for the entire master suite. Further was the main second floor hall widened to achieve more light, openness and a better flow. The formerly detached, now linked guesthouse extends the second floor program and concentrates family amenities in one location: screening room, private gym, private office and last but not least: the mud room on the first floor with ample closet space. The original main stair extends further and connects the second to a unique third floor, unusual for a historic New England colonial house of the area.The third floor features a charming guest-suite with exposed wooden framing and slanted ceilings.

Character

he authenticity and charm of the house is exceptional. With an abundance of original details, hardware and genuine materials preserved and maintained for centuries, the historic character is ever-present throughout the 6,300sf house. Wood framing and paneling contain historic initial carvings; old heating registers feature beautifully crafted metal access doors; wooden planks in the living room are joined with butterfly inlays. All alterations and expansions over time were conducted with careful attention to the scale, proportion and the original character of the home. The outcome is a unique blend of historic, spacious and luxurious features, a livable historic home in modern times.

Seasons

ESTATE PORTRAYAL ONE ECHO HILL NEW CANAAN

6,300sf on 5 acre 6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths Single family Established 1710

Estate Portrayal by Grim&Boesch 2012

Published by Grim&Boesch Estate Portrayal

ESTATE PORTRAYAL ONE ECHO HILL NEW CANAAN Grim&Boesch Estate Portrayal LLC Darien, Connecticut www.grimboesch.com 2012 Photography, Editing and Design by Grim&Boesch Estate Portrayal LLC Printed in the United States Special thanks to the Oster family for your guidance and support.