History Forever Altered

An historic streetscape is threatened: Unless the Guilford Savings Bank significantly changes its plans, the familiar sight of the lovely c. 1840 Greek Revival house and its nearby carriage barn, both located on the northwest corner of Route 79 and the Boston Post Road, will be forever altered or destroyed. The carriage barn is slated for demolition. The Thomas Scranton House will remain, but it will be moved to the center of the property, and the appearance of 589 Boston Post Road will be greatly disguised with large additions, a drive-through window, and an ATM machine.

The Madison Historical Society (MHS) has consistently opposed this project by imposing a 90-day demolition delay and acting as a consulting party in an official historic preservation review by the bank and FDIC. Another opposing view came from the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office, which deemed the demolition of the carriage barn and relocation of the main house as having an "adverse effect" on the Madison Green National Register Historic District. Other local groups, in addition to the MHS, considered filing suit to stop the project, but were hampered by the high cost.

A complicating factor in the effort to stop the project is that the buildings are within the boundaries of the National Register Historic District (established 1982), but not in the more recently established Local Historic District. Thus, unfortunately, the buildings are not afforded the same protection as buildings that lie within both districts.

The MHS believes it is part of its mission to encourage the preservation of historic properties in Madison. The Thomas Scranton house and its carriage barn is a significant example of the mid-19th century proximal relationship of house and carriage barn, clearly portraying the way of life of town dwellers.

Lynn Friedman, President
Madison Historical Society