The rehab project reclaimed the home’s beautiful original details which included decorative wood floors, stained glass windows, six fireplaces, and elaborate millwork, all while updating the home with modern amenities like new heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems. Each room is uniquely different but, of particular note are the entry hallway, dining room, and billiards room where decorative, historic wall and ceiling painting exist. Most rooms are dramatic, though the third-floor billiards room might be the most resounding. Here there are 14-foot ceilings which, like the walls, are decoratively stenciled. A large fireplace, constructed of various brick profiles and coursing to add wonderful depth to the large brick massing, is a focal point of the room. Centered above the fireplace’s stone mantel is a leaded arch stained-glass window, which is flanked on either side by masonry chimney flues. Furthermore, the room provides expansive views of the Hartford skyline. According to local lore, Mark Twain was a frequent visitor to play pool with Plimpton in this space.

The circa-1884 home is named after Linus B. Plimpton, founder of the Plimpton Manufacturing Co., one of the more successful manufacturing businesses in Hartford during the late nineteenth century. As one of the oldest homes in the district, its original construction dates back to 1863 in the Italianate style. The property was once part of the old farmstead owned by Joseph Morgan, grandfather of banking tycoon J.P. Morgan. In 1879, Plimpton commissioned renowned Hartford architect John C. Mead to remodel and expand the home, transforming it into the high-style Romanesque residence that stands today—a reflection of Hartford’s evolving architectural heritage.

Blending historic preservation with modern functionality, the Plimpton House not only honors its storied past but also contributes to the ongoing revitalization of the Asylum Hill neighborhood, ensuring its legacy for generations to come.