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07/31/2019 08:14 AMA tour needs two things to be memorable: good material and a good guide. For the upcoming Architectural Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Guilford to benefit the Hyland House Museum, the group has both the notable and diverse architecture for which the Green District is known—and it has Bob Donahue.
Donahue has been fascinated by history and different architectural styles for as long as he can remember. He grew up in Bethany in a house that was built in the early 1700s and he remembers being fascinated by the home’s background and events that occurred throughout the home’s history. His grandmother’s friend, Alice Bice-Bunton, signed and dedicated a copy of her book, Bethany’s Old Houses and Community Buildings, to him.
“I read the book from cover to cover and learned about the stories and styles of the homes and then began to draw my own versions of them,” said Donahue. “I think that from that time on, buildings styles, their histories, and their legacies have fascinated me wherever I have been able to learn about them.”
By the time he was five, one of his hobbies was drawing historical houses. His collection grew and when he was eight, more than two dozen of his drawings were displayed at Bethany’s Town Hall, earning him recognition in an article by the New Haven Register.
Now, many years later, Donahue’s interest has continued to grow and he is now the president of the board of the Hyland House Museum, a non-profit museum originally built in 1713 that now has a mission of “sharing Guilford’s rich Colonial history through tours, events, hands-on programs, classes, and research,” according to hylandhouse.org.
While the museum offers many learning opportunities, Donahue knows that Guilford’s history extends far beyond the walls of Hyland House. Years ago, he began researching the local historical buildings and the stories behind them with a goal of hosting a walking tour. His goal has now been realized and he will lead the Architectural Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Guilford on Sunday, Aug. 4.
“I thought it was a nice idea to get people to see in inside and outside of antique homes and other architecturally significant buildings in the area,” said Donahue. “I also found it interesting to place the historic stories behind the physical buildings themselves.”
The tour encompasses many eras of architecture and more than three centuries of history. The tour begins inside the Hyland House, discussing the Colonial style of architecture. Guests will see how manse-style two-over-two homes evolved over time into a saltbox style to accommodate more modern kitchens in the 1780s. Donahue will also talk about those who lived in the home, including Candace, a slave in the home’s early years.
The tour goes on to visit several other buildings in the area, including the only Gothic-era stone building on the green, a federal style church established to promote abolition, and an Italianate Victorian mansion. The buildings date from the early 1700s to the late 1800s.
“Each building visited holds its own story and architectural significance that we discuss and review how it made its mark on history through the years,” said Donahue. “This tour is different because you will be able to see both the inside and outside; get examples of what you should look for when determining, dating, and classifying architectural style; and also learn about the story of the buildings’ inhabitants and how they made their mark on local history.”
The two-hour Architectural Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Guilford begins at 10 a.m. on Aug. 4 at Hyland House. The cost is $10. Visitors can park along the green or in front of the Hyland House. The tour involves walking the extension from Boston Street to Park Street and then back to Boston Street. The tour includes inside visits and therefore stairs will need to be accessed.
This tour is just one of many fundraisers for Hyland House. On Saturday, Sept. 7 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Hyland House will become part of an international flash mob picnic dinner called Evening in White, a night of food, fashion, music, and more.
The event will be held in the house’s gardens under twinkling lights with an all-white theme. More information and a link to buy tickets are available at hylandhouse.org.
Donahue encourages residents to visit the Hyland House or attend its events. Whether it’s the walking tour, one of its classes or demonstrations, or a fundraising event like Evening in White, he said visitors will be immersed in the history of the house and the town.
“It is important because we always learn from the past,” said Donahue. “Understanding the past and knowing what the ways and thoughts were at the time may help people understand why things were done as they were or why they learned to make changes, whether it was for social, architectural, or physical effects.”
For more information, call 203-453-9477 or visit hylandhouse.org.