300-Year-Old Home With Original Hardwood Floors Listing for $800K in One of Connecticut’s Most Idyllic Villages.
One of the oldest homes still standing within the confines of a small Connecticut town has recently come back on the market for the first time in nearly 28 years.
But the history of this place, located in Essex, CT, goes back much further than those thirty years, it was built so long ago that it is almost impossible to emphasize its exact origin.
Known as the Parker Bull House in honor of its first two owners, the beautiful residence is said in some records to have been built in 1719 by a man named. Joseph Parkerbefore it was sold in 1740 to Captain Edward Bull for a minimum price of 180 pounds.
Today, the centuries-old home is being offered for $799,900.
Overlooking the scenic Falls River in the historic Essex village of Ivoryton, this three-bedroom colonial offers an unusual view of well-maintained and thoughtfully updated New England architecture.
Combining three centuries of historic details and modern amenities, the home offers approximately 2,456 square feet of living space on a 1.6 acre lot.
Although it has undergone many improvements over the years, the property retains many of the best features used in its original construction, including hardwood floors, fireplaces, and exposed beams.
“Some of the floors are original chestnut, but the kitchen and baths have all been updated,” says the listing agent. Susan Malan and William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty. “This is an amazing place with so much history!”
Built decades before the American Revolution, this house would have stood at a time when the region was defined by maritime trade, small farms, and river industry—using the water power of the Connecticut River and its canals to run mills and other local businesses.
Homes of this period were often built with timber frames, central chimneys, and multi-functional hearth spaces that served as the center of daily life. Inside, the place balances this classic character with updated pieces.
Original wide-board hardwood floors run throughout the home, and fireplaces appear in the first-floor living areas and upper bedrooms—including one with a traditional oven that was once used to bake bread.
The warm and inviting interior flows through the updated kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, while the adjoining hot room offers views of the surrounding countryside. Thoughtfully renovated bedrooms and bathrooms are spread throughout the residence, providing a comfortable living space without sacrificing the colonial feel of the home.
Situated on a 1.6-acre parcel overlooking the Falls River, the setting also enhances its historic appeal.
“You can hear the waterfall from home and easily walk to Ivoryton Village and Ivoryton Playhouse,” said Malan.
The land surrounding the home also serves as the perfect place to entertain, soak up the scenery, or just sit and watch the river flow.
Like the home itself, Ivoryton is rich in history, named for its once thriving ivory industry—a reputation many believe was founded Samuel Merritt Comstockwhich, according to Essex’s website, is “responsible for making Ivoryton the center of ivory and piano parts in the United States.”
The historic theater is one of the oldest summer theaters in the United States and has hosted famous actors such as Katharine Hepburn again Marlon Brando.
The village itself also offers a collection of restaurants, bars, and cafes, while nearby Essex Village offers additional waterfront restaurants, shops and marinas along the Connecticut River.
Located within an hour’s drive of both New Haven and Hartford, the Parker Bull House offers the opportunity to live in a storybook riverside village steeped in colonial history while still enjoying amenities such as indoor plumbing and a washing machine.
