Dutton Farmhouse :: About Dutton Farmhouse

In 1837, Asa Dutton purchased this property and, presumably, began construction of his new home. Dutton chose a very practical and very beautiful site: protected from the cold winter north winds yet offering an expansive view over the Connecticut River Valley to the mountains of New Hampshire beyond.

Dutton built in the popular Greek Revival style. Typically the house is set on a granite plinth, presents its gable to the road, and is painted white -- all contributing to a sense of dignity and serenity. The interior decorations, too, were stylish. Wallpaper was the common wall treatment, thus providing ample color and pattern variation amongst the rooms. The wooden trim was painted in the vibrant colors of the day: ochre, deep red, blue, green, and ivory.

The rear wing is an earlier building that was brought to this site and joined to the larger front portion. It is likely that this happened at or near the time of construction of the "new" house. Perhaps it was also at this time that the rich cornice, fireplace, and door trim of the front parlor was added. Deed research has shown that Asa Dutton owned one half of another house in the 1820s which might have provided these Federal style decorative details.

The Dutton Farm prospered for many years. The large clapboarded barn nearby was evidence of this. (Unfortunately this was lost in the 1980s to arson.) Early in the 20th century this farm of over 200 acres was acquired by the Holbrook family who summered at Naulakha, Rudyard Kipling's nearby former home.

For years the Holbrooks operated this under the aegis of Scott Farm, a true gentleman's farm with a full-time staff of 25, beef and dairy cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, and horses. The farm also raised apples commercially and shipped them in boxes constructed on the farm from lumber harvested from the farm.

By the 1930s, this had been relegated to commercial apple production, maple syrup, and some beef cattle. By the 1960s, Dutton Farmhouse was reduced to housing for seasonal apple pickers and left unoccupied for much of the year. It continued on this downward spiral until Landmark Trust USA began restoration in June of 2004.

Today you may enjoy the fine house built by Asa Dutton nearly 170 years ago but comforted by the modern conveniences. You will look over the same unspoiled landscape, the principal change being many more trees now.