Carol Lowbeer Exhibit Reveals Farmington Houses and Their History

For the month of December, Farmington photographer Carol Lowbeer's work will be on display at Miss Porter's School. This unique exhibit features 24 historic Farmington houses, mostly in the snow. Accompanying the photographs is a colorful history of each house including the year it was built or modified, its original owner, interesting details relating to the house, its visitors or activities  and in many cases its current use.

In many cases, the original settlers were farmers, then tradespersons and eventually wealthy residents with large families as residents grew more numerous. Similarly, the houses sometimes started out in the 1600s in one style and then were completed or modified in another.  Often, as the town grew more prosperous, extra wings, servants’ quarters, extensive gardens and extra buildings were added.

Visitors from other parts of the country became more numerous and in one case Teddy Roosevelt visited his sister (who lived here) for a famous visit in 1901.

One fascinating reality about Farmington is also the consistency of ownership over the centuries. In many cases one family and its descendents have owned a house for over 200 years. Some houses have seen more than half a dozen generations.

For further information and a sampling of photos in the exhibit, see Miss Porters website at http://www.porters.org/artgalleries or the artists’ website, www.caroleenaphotography.com.

The exhibit is in the Gilbert Gallery, 60 Main St., Farmington and will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. or by appointment: 860 481-9557 or 860 409-3701.