Leffingwell Inn

Leffingwell Inn
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Leffingwell Inn in 1961
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Location	348 Washington St., Norwich, Connecticut
Coordinates	41°32′32″N72°5′17″W / 41.54222°N 72.08806°W / 41.54222; -72.08806
Area	2 acres (0.81 ha)
Built	1675 (1675)
Architectural style	Colonial, Saltbox
Part of	Norwichtown Historic District (ID730019751)
NRHP reference No.	70000728 [1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	December 29, 1970
Designated CP	January 17, 1973

The Leffingwell Inn (now known as Leffingwell House Museum) is a historic inn at 348 Washington Street in the Norwichtown section of Norwich, Connecticut. It is one of Connecticut's oldest buildings, built around 1675, and was an important meeting place during the American Revolutionary War. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. ^[1]

Description and history

The Leffingwell Inn is located just south of the junction of Town and Washington Streets, at the southern end of the Norwichtown area. It is a 2+1⁄2-story wood-frame structure, built in stages in the 17th and 18th centuries. The northeastern corner dates to 1675 and was built by Stephen Backus. The Inn was founded by Thomas Leffingwell 2nd, the son of Norwich co-founder Thomas Leffingwell. ^[2] It was altered and expanded several times over the next century until it reached its present configuration. It is a roughly square structure with two main facades and long sloping roof lines along the other two facades, as if two saltbox houses had been joined at a corner. It has many features dating primarily to the 18th century, including casement windows, wooden paneling, and several kitchen hearths. ^[3]

Most of the architectural features of the house are the handiwork of Benajah and Christopher Leffingwell, who made the most significant alterations and additions in the 18th century. Christopher operated the inn and also established Norwich's first paper mill and a stocking factory. The inn is historically important as a meeting point during the American Revolutionary War. It is now a museum property owned by a local historical society. ^{[3] : 4}

The inn in 2016

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in New London County, Connecticut
• List of Washington's Headquarters during the Revolutionary War
• List of the oldest buildings in Connecticut

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. Mahan, Russell, Thomas Leffingwell: The Connecticut Pioneer Who Rescued Chief Uncas and the Mohegans; Historical Enterprises, Santa Clara, Utah, 2018.
3. Constance Luyster (May 19, 1970). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Leffingwell Inn". National Park Service. and Accompanying seven photos, exterior and interior, from 1960, 1970, and undated

External links

• Leffingwell House Museum
• Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. CT-245, " Thomas Leffingwell Inn, 348 Washington Street, Norwichtown, New London County, CT ", 10 photos, 13 data pages, supplemental material