Bidwell House Museum

History:

Built in 1750 for the first minister of Township No. 1, the Reverend Adonijah Bidwell, The Bidwell House is a gracious saltbox home. Rev. Bidwell arrived in 1750 to be the first minister of this frontier region, which eventually became the towns of Monterey and Tyringham. Bidwell built an imposing home with six large, paneled rooms, four fireplaces, two beehive ovens, and three closets. Some of the pewter collection His 1784 death inventory which is preserved and displayed in the museum, tells of a well furnished house for the time and location. He owned a significant collection of pewter, three high chests, six beds, numerous chests and tables, a large library, and an amazing 48 chairs! Perhaps his large furniture collection came as a result of his numerous wives, three to be exact, as women often brought furniture as part of their dowry.

18th century chairs The high rate of mortality for women meant that more than one wife was common and indeed this was the case for Rev. Bidwell. Once the house was completed and he was settled into his position, Rev. Bidwell married his first wife, Theodosia Colton in 1752. She was the daughter of his tutor at Yale College, Rev. Benjamin Colton. Known to be a poet, Theodosia's work is unfortunately lost. To commemorate his marriage to his "college sweetheart", Rev. Bidwell carved two perfect hearts in the parlor door, a local tradition found in a number of 18th century houses in Monterey.