Historic Alice Washburn Homes in Westville

Westville is home to ten residences designed and built by Alice Washburn. Mrs. Washburn did not have formal training in architecture or business when she started building homes just after World War I but she did have daring, determination and an unerring sense of taste that allowed her to build close to ninety homes between 1919 and 1933. Utilizing classical details of the Colonial Revival style, Alice Washburn created gracious homes in Cheshire, Hamden, New Haven (all in Westville), North Haven, Orange and Woodbridge; all different yet easily identifiable by distinctive elements of the Washburn style.

Because she was a perfectionist who took care with every aspect of the homes she built, Alice Washburn homes are noted for solid construction, exquisite detailing (inside and out) and a sense of timeless dignity.

Westville is a wonderful walking neighborhood with wide sidewalks and an array of  housing sizes and styles. Take a walk and see how many Alice Washburn homes you can identify.

Look for:

• Bold entranceways with rich detailing including pilasters, sidelights and columns. Note that all entranceways including side and rear entrances will have detailing. 
  
• A curving front walk leading up to the front entrance is indicative of Alice Washburn design.
  
• Extensive use of large windows (many with full length shutters to make them look even larger), elaborate Palladium windows and fanlights.

Remember there are ten of Washburn homes in Westville. Here is a hint; 2 on Alden Avenue, 1 on Alston Avenue, 1 on Central Avenue, 1 on Chapel Street, 1 on Cleveland Road, 1 on Elmwood Road, 1 on Oliver Road, 1 on Vista Terrace and 1 on Westwoods Road.