Dear readers,
Many of you know me as the young 15 year old who loves to write about local history. I really enjoy learning, promoting, and sharing Pawcatuck's history with all of you, and I am very proud of doing this. I have several Facebook pages (Pawcatuck History Page, On the Corner of William and West Broad) that I use to share this information with you, the readers. Well, this past summer, I purchased a set of 120 letters and 300 antique photographs dating from the early 1900's. They were addressed to Sally Frankenstein, a young girl who lived at 140 West Broad St. in Pawcatuck. I named this collection of letters and negatives the Frankenstein Collection. The letters are amazing, and really describe the life of a young girl who was part of a wealthy family. Yes, the letters really fascinated me, and the photographs were incredible too, but what really interested me the most was the house itself. Built in 1887, 140 West Broad was designed by Charles Eastlake, one of the more famous architects of the Victorian Era. If you ever pass by the house, located near West Broad St. School, pay close attention to its beautiful architectural qualities. The house continued to grab my attention every time I passed by it, and last October, I decided it was time to write a book, which will be titled "On the Corner of William and West Broad: A True Example of Aristocracy in Pawcatuck" I began telling the house's story with the letters. They mention several key events such as the opening of West Broad St. School in 1900. The photographs show the tennis courts behind the house, maids, children, Watch Hill, etc. The book then goes into explaining the rest of the house's history. The next family to own the house was the Hemphill family. Russell and Elisabeth Hemphill lived in the house with their three boys for many years. Their son Dixon now 88, has been a great help in the writing of this book, and has provided many stories, such as when he saw the Hindenburg soar above the house on the late 1930's. After the Hemphill's sold the house in the early 1970's, it fell into a great state of disrepair and its beautiful woodwork was almost destroyed. Luckily, in 1981, Bob and Isabel Manson purchased the house and completely restored it. The next owners were Maureen Chastain and her husband Wayne who ran the Sage House Bed and Breakfast at the house for many years. Lastly, Karen Ward and her husband Tom Timmons moved into the house in 2008 and have lived there ever since. I am so grateful to them for letting me tour their beautiful home, and helping me out with this book! I am hoping the book will be ready by the summer. I am still working on the pricing, but I just know the community will love it. I am so glad to be able to share 140 West Broad's story with the community, and I really hope you all will enjoy it!
Sincerely,
Connor Beverly
