Renovating the Victorian Homes of Willimantic, CT
Over the past few decades, Willimantic has been one of Connecticut's fastest evolving towns. All types of small businesses have been moving in and working to revive Main Street. The local university, ECSU, built a Fine Art's Center, drawing more creative energy and culture into the community. There's always been a certain charm about Windham, what with its railroads, frog mythology, and of course the historic thread mills situated on the Willimantic River. During the latter half of the nineteenth century, the cotton-producing mills sparked an economic boom that brought ample wealth to the area. The famous 'Hill Section' is a residential neighborhood of homes that exhibit the Victorian-style architecture made popular during this influx of wealth. They are monuments to the industry that has given Willimantic such a prominent place in Connecticut history.
Consistent traits of Victorian homes incorporate irregularly shaped multi-gabled roofs, full-width porches, molded cornices, patterned shingles, ornately decorated eaves, and the signature turret-tower. A stroll through the Prospect Hill Section will bring you to that late 1800's era, with almost every attribute of Victorian style on display. From Queen Anne and Second Empire to Italianate and Shingle-style homes – Willimantic has it all. The town also recently celebrated its annual 'Victorian Days' celebration, which features guided tours of Victorian homes and gardens.
Working on a Victorian-style home can be a steep challenge, especially with the expertise needed in roofing a turret. Turrets were originally used in medieval architecture as lookout posts. Today, they provide a panoramic view of the neighborhood as well as a unique standout feature of the exterior. A turret is one of the most difficult structures to refurbish and their curvature requires careful attention to detail. The process combines everything there is to know about roofing, calling all of our knowledge and ingenuity into action. There is nothing to anchor on to, so the octagonal peak must first be lassoed before traversing it. From there, our naturally pliable shingles are molded around the curve of the tower.
It is unfortunate that so many beautiful landmarks have lost their luster in the post-industrial years. With Willimantic experiencing a second Renaissance, many of its Victorian houses are being refurbished. Slowly but surely, Willimantic's treasured symbols are being brought back to their prime. Klaus Larsen LLC has helped revamp several antique homes throughout the state and we have a great deal of experience working with old-world architecture. It is an honor to have been chosen by homeowners in Willimantic, Groton, and West Hartford, CT, to restore their Victorians. At Klaus Larsen, we will always share the same enthusiasm our customers have for preserving New England's history in their neighborhoods.
