A Nearly 200-Year-Old Greenwich Home Could Soon Be Protected

GREENWICH, CT — Officials are seeking to protect a home that dates back to 1840 and represents one of the earliest examples of Greek Revival architecture in Greenwich.

Jacqueline Wetenhall, executive director of Historic Properties of Greenwich, appeared before the Board of Selectmen last week to request that the Historic District Commission be appointed as a study committee for the purpose of investigating and reviewing whether the Captain Charles Hendrie House at 299 Riverside Ave. should be designated a "local historic property."

Such a designation would ensure that any future change to a "contributing structure or factor" at the property must receive a certificate of appropriateness from the HDC.

"We feel the property should receive a local historic property designation due to the fact it is 186 years old," Wettenhall said, pointing out the architectural significance.

Even though the home is a local example of Greek Revival architecture, "it shows some anachronistic Federal elements, most notably the side-gabled orientation as opposed to the Greek Revival trademark of pedimented or gabled facade. Though further research may lead to a substituted style description of vernacular Greek Revival," documents submitted to the selectmen say.

Hendrie, who died in 1873 at the age of 83, was a sea captain who helped develop the Riverside section of Greenwich.

The Hendrie family was considered one of the largest landowners in "Mianus Neck," and the home at 299 Riverside Ave. is believed to be the oldest remaining house of the Hendrie family.

Hendrie Avenue in Riverside is named after the family, but located about a half-mile away from the house.

The home now sits on .67 acres, but it was once part of an 80-acre parcel of land before the 1848 construction of the New York and New Haven Company's one-rail track that split the property in two.

A town map from 1890 designates the parcel of land as "Joshua Hendrie," Wettenhall added.

"Thus, this house may be the oldest surviving home in the Town of Greenwich that, at one time, bordered the railroad, whereas today, several properties exist between the Hendrie house and the tracks," submitted documents note.

Previously, the house was added to the Greenwich Historical Society's then-described "Signs of the Times" historic home landmark program in 1990.

"It's a beautiful house, and we'd love your blessing in getting the Historic District Commission to take a look at the study," Wettenhall said.

First Selectman Fred Camillo said 299 Greenwich Ave. is "obviously a well-known site in Riverside for all of us."

"I didn't realize it was that old," Camillo admitted of the house.

The item is expected to go back before the selectmen for a vote on July 23.