Little House in the Big Woods- Tennis Court

Imagine staying in a house in Colonial Williamsburg, or OldSturbridge Village. The Little House at Jericho is an early American historic pre-1800 guesthouse behind my farmhouse located on the Abington side of Pomfret, Connecticut, in a secluded storybook location on 145 acres of preserved land adjacent to the Airline Trail, the Wolf Den State Forest, Mashomoquet State Park and the New England Forestry Foundation's Chase Kimball Memorial Forest. This nature preserve is suitable for bird-watching from the deck over-looking the pond or at the Audubon Society's Grasslands preserved sanctuary nearby, for long walks on the private trails in the woods (with direct access to the Airline Trail), cross-country skiing, tennis on the court, fishing in either or both of two ponds, or just for a place to get away from it all in a private nature sanctuary. Use of the tennis court is allowed, but hunting is strictly prohibited, as is use of any off-road vehicles. It is ideal for an artist or writer’s retreat.

The Little House is a unique historic property that has been lovingly preserved by eight generations of the same family who have lived at Jericho since 1814. It is the birthplace of the famous industrialist and philanthropist, Augustus Sabin Chase, of Waterbury Connecticut fame (see Waterbury Hall of Fame, where he, his son, and one of his granddaughters are honored). This antique house has one slightly larger downstairs and two small upstairs bedrooms, a spacious living/dining room with a huge granite fireplace, and can sleep up to four people. Furnished with period country antiques, guests feel transported into the 18th century, until they slide back a door to find a modern kitchen with a view over an orchard and pond from a large deck, and an updated bathroom. It is not suitable for the disabled or for very large people, because it is a pre-1800 house with small period furnishings and is not wheelchair-accessible.

The house is hypo-allergenic, and bedsheets are 100% cotton, laundered at high temperatures and ironed. The floorboards are soft pine that came from the Eastford Congregational Church when it was refurbished in 1952. Because the floors can be scratched by pet claws, no pets or smoking are permitted and furniture must not be moved.

Jericho is situated close to Pomfret and Rectory Schools, Woodstock Academy and half an hour from Marianapolis Prep School, as well as close to the numerous scenic drives, destination restaurants, antique stores and boutiques in Windham County. This historic little house is nestled in the forest, at the end of a long straight dirt town road , far from the stress of daily life, but with private trails to hike and only a short drive from Old Sturbridge Village and Mystic Seaport. It is also close to the Connecticut Audubon Center’s Grasslands Sanctuary, Pomfret Forest (NEMBA-maintained mountain biking destination), Goodwin Conservation Center in Hampton and several state parks and forests ideal for hiking and bicycling. It is less than an hour's drive from Hartford, Providence and Worcester and only a 20 minute drive from the University of Connecticut at Storrs. Boston is 90 miles Northeast and New York City 150 miles Southwest.


Keywords: cottage, little house, tennis court, hiking, mountain biking, historic farmhouse, farm stay, antique house, tennis, fishing, pond, secluded getaway, artist or writer’s sanctuary, birthplace, quaint, peaceful, nature sanctuary, UCONN, Pomfret, Rectory School, Airline Trail