Address: 77 South Road
Contemporary Building Name: 77 South Road
Historic Building Name: George T. Lord House
Present Use: Residential
Historic Use: Residential
Architectural style: Colonial
Date constructed: 1740-1780 (Baber), c. 1745 (Keith), 1750 (Assessor
Description: In the front elevation, first floor, the central door, which is off center to the south, is flanked by two 6-over-6 windows on each side. Two added gabled dormers are in the lower slope of the gambrel rood at second-floor level. A former square central chimney is missing. On the south side elevation, a 6-over-6 window is followed by a small 6-over-6 window with the pattern repeated at second floor. A small four-pane attic window is in the gable peak.
Significance: The George T. Lord House is one of the few gambrel-roofed 18th century buildings in Marlborough. Its relatively isolated works effectively with its surviving range of historic barns to give a good sense of a historic Marlborough farmstead. While at one time this grouping was the norm, it has now become rare. (See also 180 Jones Hollow Road.) The fact that the door is not centered is curious, but might be explained by interior arrangements. The Keith survey (c. 1935) describes the interior: "No front stairs; back stairs are original. Three fireplaces with sunken hearths. Dutch oven in old kitchen. Chair rail in south front room. Featheredge wainscot in dining room. At least two panel doors in ell. No summer beams." The size of the window openings is relatively small, suggesting that they may be the original size, as contrasted to the later enlarged openings found in many 18th century Connecticut houses. At the time of the Keith survey, the owner was Byron S. Lord, following in the footsteps of his great grandfather. Baber states that at one time a shed was a blacksmith shop.
Sources: Baber, David. Capitol Region Council of Governments Historic Resource Survey of Marlborough, 1978.
Keith, Elmer D., director. Works Progress Administration, Federal Writers’ Project, Census of Old of Distinctive Buildings in the State of Connecticut. c. 1935.
Ransom, David. Historical and Architectural Resources Survey, Town of Marlborough, Connecticut. April 1998.
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