The Howard & Jeanette Tuttle House
41 Millville Ave.
The house is significant architecturally because it is an elaborate example of the Colonial Revival style. Its pavilions, high slate roof, Ionic pilasters and other features are characteristic of the style. The John H. Whittemore and Harris Whittemore houses were similar in impact. The significance of this house is enhanced because it is the only one of the three to survive.
The house is significant historically because it was the home of Howard B. Tuttle, son of Bronson B. Tuttle, a founder of the Eastern Malleable Iron Company. Howard B. Tuttle was a civil engineer who practiced locally with George C. Ham. (See Whittemore Memorial Bridge and Barnum Building.) He was also active in the management of the Eastern Malleable Iron Company.
Dana J. Blackwell, interview, August 15, 1986.
Naugatuck, Conn., Souvenir (Naugatuck: Perry Press, 1906), historic photograph.
41 Millville Ave.
Designed in 1903 for Howard Beecher Tuttle and Jeannette Seymour Tuttle and their three children: Donald, Ruby and Muriel. H.B. Tuttle, who served as warden (mayor) of Naugatuck for five terms, was an executive of the Eastern Malleable Iron Co., founded in 1858 by his father Bronson B. Tuttle and J.H. Whittemore.
A. Milton Napier, designer of the house, was a master of the Colonial Revival style. Napier worked in the prestigious architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White from 1887 to 1896 and later operated the Tide-Water Building Company, which oversaw construction of numerous buildings for the Tuttles and Whittemores in Naugatuck and Middlebury, including the Westover School.
Howard passed away in 1933 but his wife, Jeanette, lived in the house until her death in 1955. The house then became Jones Nursing Home in November of 1956 until 1983. The house then sat vacant for a few years until the conversion to condos began in January 1989. The conversion was well planned so that most of its historic features have been preserved and each unit is unique. They still retain good examples of crown molding, high ceilings, and original fireplaces. During the years, additional units were added as an annex to the original mansion, and in the early 1990s, the carriage house at the top of the property burned down and a new, three-unit building was added.
(Thank you to Claudia, Bridget, Rachel, Ken & Wendy for help with this weeks post!)
The Howard & Jeanette Tuttle House c.1903
Photo of the house when it was the Jones Nursing Home c.1972
Photo of the house as Hillside Commons c. 2019
Photos of Howard & Jeanette Tuttle
Donald, Ruby & Muriel Tuttle
Dining room as it appeared when the Tuttles were in residence. The dining table and chairs have remained in the family's possession.
Advertisement for the opening of the Jones Nursing Home, November 25th, 1956.