Collections record Beta

Rendering - "Phelps Tavern Litchfield, Connecticut"

1955-18-7

Pencil and wash rendering of a proposed restoration to the Phelps Tavern in Litchfield, CT. The composition shows a large three story building with front porches on the right; a smaller building is seen to the left. Three large tress in front. The larger building features two visible chimneys and two curved stairways with iron handrails leading up to the first floor front porch.

Built in 1782 by John Collins, the original building was conceptualized to serve as a hotel from its creation. By 1787 the property had exchanged hands and business was doing so well that the building was enlarged to create more space for guests. Just shy of a decade later in 1796, John Phelps bought the property and the new owner placed his own name upon the establishment, making it the Phelps Tavern. During its 150 years of existence, the tavern took in guests, served food, and hosted balls in its third floor ballroom, including one of particular interest in 1824 that local residents claimed the Marquis de LaFayette attended. In the 1860s the business was sold and became known as the United States Hotel. By 1911, the tavern was back in the Phelps family and running under its old name once again. In the 1930s the Great Depression took a toll on the old establishment, and in 1936 the building was foreclosed upon by the Litchfield Savings Society. Spurred by Litchfield’s earlier successes in saving historic town structures, such as the Congregational Church, a committee was formed to explore the possibility of purchasing the property and restoring it. The attempt to save the long-loved hotel was defeated by the cost to overhaul the 18th-century tavern. The final decision of the committee was that renovating the property would be too expensive for the times, and in 1939 the Phelps Tavern was torn down.

• Hart, Charles M.

1937

Height 22.5"; Width 32"

• watercolor
• paper
• pencil