Location: Washington, Connecticut, USA (1 hour 45 minutes from NYC) View Map
Accommodations: Single Family Home, 4 Bedrooms + Den, 3 Baths (Sleeps 8)
Step back in time into a house steeped in history but beautifully restored with all the modern comforts and amenities. This historic 210 year old home was part of the original Underground Railroad running thru CT during the Civil War. The tunnel leading into the house is still intact. The house was built by one of the areas largest iron masters, Samuel Forbes for his daughter and son-in-law. The wedding trees planted upon their marriage still grace the front entrance.
Set on more than 2 1/2 exquisite acres with a beautiful private pond, a small barn, perfect rows of white hydrangea, fragrant lilac bushes and gardens, the John Adam House, built in 1799, has been impeccably restored over four years to its initial grand manor house splendor, and is available by the weekend, long weekend, week, month or season at surprisingly affordable rates.
Graced with 11 foot ceilings, 12 over 12 windows throughout, and well proportioned rooms, the house can easily accommodate families or reunions and comfortably sleeps 6-8 people. The house has a 4 zone heating system and central AC throughout. There are 3 wood burning fireplaces and 2 gas fireplaces upstairs.
The fully equiped kitchen will make any serious cook happy with a professional 6 burner, double oven Wolf stove, Viking dishwasher, a large refrigerator and plenty of prep space. It opens directly to the spacious and light-filled 15' x 25' post and beam great room where you can relax in front of a roaring fire, watch television on the 42" screen or simply sit and read and take in the outdoors. This room opens to the outside with a French door leading to the deck with a large stainless steel DCS grill and a table for al fresco dining. On the side of the kitchen is the formal dining room which is 15' x 25' with a massive original keeping room fireplace. The table comfortably seats 12-14. Off the dining room a hallway leads to a beautiful guest room with a queen size Grange sleigh bed with its own perfectly renovated full bath with Waterworks fixtures and shower. Adjacent is the front parlor (15' x 20') with baby grand piano and wood burning fireplace. Mudroom and brand new LG washer and dryer complete the first floor.
A staircase in the Dining Room leads to the upstairs. On one side is the sun-filled master suite (15' x 30') with 3 exposures. Originally a ballroom with a vaulted ceiling, the room boast a paneled fireplace that has been fitted with natural looking Eiklor gas logs. The comfortable king size bed has Frette linens that you can really sink into, and a large bath outfitted by Waterworks. There is a large separate dressing room to complete the suite.
There are two additional bedrooms upstairs, one with red toile wallpaper and twin beds and the other with a full size antique iron bed and antique armoire. In between is a sitting room study with a paneled fireplace with gas logs and large flat screen TV over the mantel. A bathroom with another Waterworks shower make these bedrooms a complete suite.
The house is about 4 miles from Washington Depot, the Washington Green, the Mayflower Inn and Spa, Winvian Spa, 3 miles from Lake Waramaug, Hopkins Vineyard, seven miles from Litchfield, and 8 miles to Kent.
Please call for availability. All requests are confirmed by payment and a signed standard CT short-term lease contract. Any occupancy of less than 30 days requires a 12% CT renter's tax.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning: HCAV throughout the house
- Washer: Brand New LG steam washing machine
- Dryer
- Linens Provided: 2 sets of linens are provided for each bedroom, towels for each bathroom
- Off Street Parking
- Gas Fireplace: Gas Fireplace in Master Bedroom and adjacent sitting room on opposite side.
- Wood Fireplace: 3 wood burning fireplaces (Great Room, Dining Room, Parlour)
- Beds
- King Bed: Frette sheets and down mattress pad, european goose down duvet
- Queen Bed
- Double Bed
- Twin/Single Bed (2)
- Child Bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV (2)
- DVD (2)
- VCR
- Video Library
- CD Player
- Music Library
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: stove has 6 burners, 2 ovens (one is extra wide), and a salamander.
- Cooking Utensils Provided: 6 burner Wolf stove with 1 extra large oven and 1 smaller oven, salamander broiler
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher: Brand New Bosch dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Catering Available: If interested, we can arrange
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill: Stainless steel DCS grill
- Deck/Patio
- Communications
- Telephone: 4 telephone extensions in the house
- Free Long Distance
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Jet Skiing
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Snowmobiling
- Sledding/Tubing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Rock Climbing
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Racquetball
- Basketball Court
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
$450/night, 3 night minimum, weekend rates available
May 16-Sep 13 ... $2500/week (+ $150 cleaning)
Sept. 15 - October 30th ... $2200/week (+ $150 cleaning)
October 30th - May 15th: $2000/week (+ $150 cleaning)
Christmas Week .. $3000/week, New Year's week $3000/week (+ $150 cleaning)
Monthly or seasonal rentals available
No dogs or cats
inquire about holiday weekend rates
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2003
Why the Owner Chose Washington
We both have always LOVED Litchfield County. I grew up about 40 minutes from here and dreamed of having and old house some day. We appreciate the historic architecture in the area as well as the incredibly beautiful countryside. The area has an abundance of things to do from cultural offerings, year round activities outdoors, antiques, shopping and more. It seems there's never enough time to do all that we'd like to do.
The Unique Benefits at this Single Family Home
It was our dream to buy an old home and restore it. We fell in love with this house after seeing just a picture of it. It was a true labor of love. The house has a rich and interesting history which we sought to preserve. The interior is painted with historical colors and is filled with many period antiques while still absolutely comfortable. All the rooms are spacious with extra high ceilings and doorways so you always have a feeling of openness. The extra large kitchen is a joy to cook in with all the space one would ever need to cook great gourmet meals. The great room has double height ceilings and lots of windows on 3 sides so it's always flooded with sun. It's truly a special and unique home.
Owner's Map of Washington
We live on the Upper West Side of Manhattan during the week where Bill is a journalist and I am a Creative Director. Bill has two daughters who are both going to college in Edinburgh, Scotland. We have a very busy and wonderful life in New York but really look forward to our escape to CT on the weekends where we can truly relax. Now that the house if finally done, we're really enjoying it. We love entertaining and having family and friends come stay.
Property Photos
- outside of house - Washington Home with Master Suite
- Front of house - Washington Home with Master Suite
- Kitchen - Washington Home with Master Suite
- Great Room
- Dining Room
- Master Bedroom
- George Washington Staircase
- Guest Bedroom, downstairs
- Sitting Room with fireplace and flatscreen TV
- Side yard and pond
- Detail in mudroom
- Kitchen - dining area
Guest Comments (2)
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #223786
There have been 1935 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2009.
This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - November 16, 2009
Positive Rating
roman alder , New Milford CT
Positive Rating
Dear Bill and Sheila, It is an understatement to say your home is lovely. Charm, style and warmth may add some justice. On behalf of myself and the girls, we thank you for sharing a little slice of heaven with us. We look forward to getting up here again. Sincerely, Michael Sturgis