Page 21 - Architype - October

Way back in 1736, Jabez Chapman Another architectural feature of
built his tavern called the Riverside the Italianate Style is the use of tall,
Inn. Imagine life in the village of narrow windows with rectangular
East Haddam during the early
or arched tops, often accompanied
Dining and Leisure 18th century as one would arrive by brackets and elaborate crowns.
by horse and carriage and enjoy a
These are often grouped as paired
windows. The Gelston House
fine meal with spirits! During the
represents this feature well, utilizing
last quarter of the 18th century
within the Italianate Style: through the first quarter of the both types. The second floor
windows have rectangular tops with
19th century, the Gelston family
brackets supporting an overhang,
was involved with the property,
whereas the third floor windows
followed by Joseph Goodspeed.
In 1853, the current building was
have arched tops, allowing for
Gelston House erected on this same site by the variations on a theme. The doors at
the first floor are coherently similar
Gelston Hotel Company, directed by
to the window shapes.
George Gelston. Thus, the Gelston
House was born. Imagine the world
of the mid-19th century in East An extended porch at the first floor
is another telltale feature of this
Haddam! Those early tourists to this architectural style. Based upon old
by George Fellner, AIA hotel surely must have enjoyed its photographs, the porch originally
accommodations, along with the fine wrapped around the front and also
views of the Connecticut River. faced the river. A simple railing
The Gelston House represents the with diagonal frames defines the
Italianate Style (1840’s - 1880’s) perimeter. The row of combined
which has its roots in England square/round slender posts
during the Picturesque Movement supports the expansive porch roof.
that was inspired by informal, Today, the river side porch area
rambling Italian farmhouses. Low- has been replaced by a one-story
pitched hipped roof forms with enclosed dining space, fenestrated
deep, overhanging eaves that are by large windows that offer engaging
supported by decorative brackets views. The extensive curved-top
are typical identifying features. The sign above the porch exhibits large
large swooping paired brackets letters identifying the “Gelston
above the wide pilasters collectively House” with an old-style font flavor.
act as a formidable support, both Smaller subscript text indicating
structurally as well as visually. A “Fine Dining, Spirits, Lodging” also
square cupola with multiple roof plays on the theme of old-style
brackets and a tall pole capping usage. Fellner Architects
the roof effectively provide an Presently owned by the Goodspeed Moves to a New
impression of prominence along Opera House Foundation, the
Main Street. In a sense, this element Gelston House continues to Location
seems to have a direct dialogue serve the tourist industry of
with the adjacent Goodspeed the 21st century, providing fine Fellner Architects, LLC has
Opera House’s rectangular tower accommodations, meals and recently moved to its new
with its associative high flag pole, refreshments, along with fine views location at 382 Town Street in
constructed 23 years later. of the Connecticut River. Although East Haddam, occupying the 1st
280 years have passed since Jabez floor of the 1760 Isaac Ackley
House.
Chapman built his tavern, this site
continues to serve the public in a This site is part of an adaptive
timeless mode of accommodation re-use to commercial use,
and leisure! designed by Fellner Architects.

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