Just how old is the Cadman-White-Handy House?

The Westport Historical Society has received a $10,000 National Trust for Historic Preservation grant to help answer a $10,000 Question: Just how old is the Cadman-White-Handy House? This project is part of an innovative process of “opening windows” into the interior of the house to reveal its evolution.

Just how old is the Cadman-White-Handy House?

The Westport Historical Society has enlisted the expertise of Historic Deerfield’s architectural conservator William Flynt to answer that very question when he performed a dendrochronology study at the Hix Bridge Road property.

Dendrochronology is better known as “tree ring dating.” It is used to narrow down the age of a building through the trees’ rings as well as other variables such as environment and climate.

During his recent visit to the Handy House, Flynt took samples from timber under the floorboards and in the ceilings in all three phases of construction, as well as in the attic.

While the Society is aware that the Handy House was built in three phases over more than a century — starting in what is believed to be 1710 -a vast amount of research on the historic property hasn’t turned up more definitive dates for the additions.

By enlisting the help of experts, the group hopes to narrow down the dates of construction to help the Society interpret as well as preserve the interior of the house. The more information gleaned from studies stimulated by the grant will help boost the “visitor experience” when the Handy House opens to the public next year.

When the house opens its historic doors in the spring, adult and children will be invited to get a first-hand look at the dendrochronology process and check out the “core samples” taken at the house as well as learn more about the usefulness of tree-ring dating.

Flynt’s work is associated with a $10,000 National Trust for Historic Preservation grant which the Society will match to conduct research and develop programs to “open windows” into the interior of the house to reveal its evolution.