Table of Contents
The following was submitted by the Historical Society:
To celebrate the 20 years of stewardship, the Historical Society invites the community to “20 Years and Counting: A House in Good Hands” on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 2–5 p.m.
Come explore treasures from the collections, see fascinating before-and-after photographs, watch a film about the beginnings of the stewardship, hear memories from along the way, and take part in a fun scavenger hunt for kids and adults.
Everyone is welcome.
The Sanborn House is a testament to what can happen when a community comes together with dedication, commitment, and perseverance.
When the Winchester Historical Society accepted the stewardship of Sanborn House in 2006, the house was showing the effects of years of neglect. Vacant since 2003, its future was uncertain; the work to restore it was daunting, and whether the effort would prove worthwhile was far from clear. As with so many historic properties that are important to their communities, Sanborn’s future depended on people willing to recognize its value and take on the responsibility of preserving it.
Built in 1906–07 for Oren and Lorena Sanborn, Sanborn House, known as Aigremont, was designed in the Beaux-Arts style by architects Clinton M. Hill and Thomas M. James.
Created as a home of elegance and distinction, the house later became home to the Downes family, a residence for the Religious of Christian Education and Marycliff Academy, and eventually a town-owned property serving community purposes, including as the home of the Recreation Department.
To this day, the house carries with it the marks of its many uses and the stories of the people who had passed through its doors, each chapter leaving imprints on the rooms and the fabric of the building. The work ahead was not simply to restore Sanborn, but to honor all that had come before while opening the house to a new chapter.
The Historical Society took on the work in stages, first stabilizing the house before turning to the details that would restore its character. Ceilings and molding were repaired, chimneys and the roof addressed, and colors and finishes carefully considered. Each layer of the house revealed clues to its past and often another challenge to be met.
At its heart, the stewardship of Sanborn House has been and continues to be a journey of discovery, challenges, and lessons, as the Historical Society works to renew the house’s role in community life while keeping its history present.
For more than 20 years and counting, members of the community and beyond have joined the effort to care for Sanborn, one repair, one gift, and one helping hand at a time.
The Historical Society is deeply grateful to the generous donors and grantors who provided essential support; the craftspeople, architects, and preservation experts who brought knowledge and skill to the work; and the many volunteers and community members who contributed their time, ideas, enthusiasm, and care. Sanborn House stands today because so many of you believed it was worth saving and gave what you could to help make it happen.
