During the late 1800's and early 1900's, the house was occupied by Dr. and Mrs. A. W. Norton.
Mrs. Norton was the younger sister of Alma Cardell Curtin, wife of Jeremiah Curtain, an internationally known linguist who lived from 1838 to 1906.
The Curtin's visited Vermont often and stayed at the Norton House while in the state.
The House
The house started out as a Greek Revival style house typical of the houses that were being built at the time it was constructed, about 1840. The photo above is dated May 28, 1890. Many examples are still around up and down the street.
About 1900, the house was extensively renovated. The roof line was
raised for a full second floor.
The house is inventoried in The Historic Architecture of Addison County, for Bristol, and described as follows:
House, c. 1850/1894 Queen Anne style, wood shingle, gable roof, 2 1/2 stories. Features: unusual window, applied woodwork, gablescreen, stickwork, side tower, finial, Queen Anne window, Queen Anne porch, decorative rafter tails. Related stable, c. 1894. Features: parapet.
The house is photographed on page 51 of the book with the following caption:
A Dr. Norton remodeled a small Classic Cottage into a mansion with gablescreens, sweeping porches, and a corner tower with a conical cap.
A further description is in the inventory
notes generated by the Historic Preservation study for the history
booklet.
The Property
The lot has changed shapes many time during the growing of Bristol village.
The Neighborhood
Another Queen Anne style house was built at the same intersection as the Norton House. It was built about the same time that our house was extensively remodeled. Today it is a Bed and Breakfast.
Postcards
We have collected quite a few postcards of the house
Postcard dated Nov 29, 1909
Postcard dated Aug 13, 1910
Postcard dated Apr 11, 1913
Undated postcard