The Hart House and Frank Stevenson Archives

The General William Hart House, headquarters of the Old Saybrook Historical Society, is on the National Register of Historic Places. This beautiful 18^th century Georgian house with much of its original architecture dates from 1767. The two chimneys, one at each gable end of the house, serve eight interior corner fireplaces and are unusual for this period in Connecticut.

William Hart, an accomplished equestrian, was a prosperous merchant engaged in the West Indies trade. He and his first wife, Ester Buckingham Hart, were noted for entertaining frequently and quite lavishly. During the Revolution, he led the First Regiment of Connecticut Light Horse Militia to Danbury to take part in Tryon’s raid. Hart and his brothers armed their merchant ships and served this country in numerous privateering forays against the British. From a second floor chamber in his house he could have seen the Hart fleet of ships when in port, off the Hart dock at the entrance to the North Cove. His home has been restored to its former elegance and now serves as the site for periodic exhibits and programs on historical topics.

Northeast of the house is the Frank Stevenson Archive, a replicated carriage shed built in 1998.  The Archive houses a rich source of historical information including files on genealogy, books, maps, ledgers, logs, photographs, and original manuscripts, The Society also offers space in the Archive for the Saybrook Colony Founders Association and their extensive genealogy resource. Behind these two buildings is a small garden shed and a sunken walled garden with medicinal, culinary and scented herbs of the 18^th century. On the Southeast side are charming woodland wildflower plantings.