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a note from a visitor"Greetings to the Friends of Topsmead,
A couple of weeks ago, while my friend Marilyn and I were spending some time in your area, we "happened" upon Topsmead on a rainy Sunday afternoon. We had a bit of time to fill and Topsmead State Forest had been recommended by a Litchfield local, "there's an English cottage on the property you would love." What we didn't realize was that there are also tours given of the inside of Edith Morton Chase's Cotswold tudor but what a delightful surprise! After being welcomed into the cozy interior by three gracious hosts, we enjoyed a phenomenal tour... Thank you and blessings, Rachel Denlinger of Christiansburg,OH" Note: Free guided tours of the residence are offered from June through October on the 2nd and 4th weekends of each month.
Photo by Rachel Denlinger
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ASK BOB
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Bob Orintas, the son of John Orintas, Miss Edith Chase's chauffeur, has been sharing his wonderful essays recounting his memories of Topsmead on our website for more than four years! Thank you Bob!
Since April we have begun to offer the opportunity for everyone to ask him direct questions about life at Topsmead. Please send your questions via the button below. Your question may be one that Bob responds to in our newsletter and on the website! |
QUESTION #4
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE HOUSE YOU LIVED IN AT TOPSMEAD?
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Overview
Our house was built in 1934 as an extension on a long line of attached machine sheds and a 3 car garage (built in 1929) located near the barns at Topsmead. The dwelling was designed by Waterbury architect Fred Webster as a place for my father and his family to live because he was their chauffeur. He needed to be at Topsmead during the summer months when Miss Edith and the Burrell sisters were there. Since the house was intended to be strictly a summer home, it had no central heating system. If it got chilly, heat was provided by an oil stove in the kitchen and one in the upstairs hallway. There was also a fireplace in the living room. Mother cooked for us on a 24” propane gas stove also in the kitchen. There was an old-fashioned refrigerator that came from the Chase family home at 42 Church Street. That house was emptied and sold after Miss Edith’s mother passed away. >>read more |
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by Margaret Hunt
Photo by Tom Holzel
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Topsmead MemoriesDecember 2025
photos by Margaret Hunt The house and gardens of Topsmead on Jefferson Hill, the highest point in Litchfield, are battened down for winter. The Friends of Topsmead Docent Team and the DEEP employees have done the job with care.
The house is closed up; put to bed and winterized: screens exchanged for storm windows; summer curtains exchanged for winter curtains; 16th century antique furniture dusted, cleaned with Murphy's oil soap, and covered with protective drapes. From the outside, the French doors are shuttered with wooden panels. Ivy pots on the veranda's tree of life have been taken home to be loved over the winter by a devoted DEEP seasonal employee. Gardens around the house have been cut down. The dovecote bird nest has been abandoned for warmer climes. Fruit trees along the driveway stand pruned in readiness for winter's wind and ice. Hardwood leaves fallen and blown away leave naked tree limbs drawing dark lines against the sky. The hayfields have been mowed down to their winter buzz cuts. -read complete Musings essay- |