As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, a unique niche in the real estate market is seeing heightened interest: homes built before 1776. These properties, from Connecticut to Rhode Island and Washington D.C., offer a tangible connection to early American history and are attracting buyers who value their historical significance over modern amenities. While some have undergone extensive renovations to blend historical charm with contemporary comforts, others retain much of their original character, including features like wide-board floors and multiple fireplaces.
In Connecticut, nearly 60 houses with original structures predating 1776 were listed on Zillow in July. Examples include the Elisha Bushnell House from 1678, on the market for $12 million with 20 acres, and the Captain W. H. Williams House, a 1710 saltbox listed for $200,000. Another notable Connecticut property is the 1775 Litchfield house of Benjamin Tallmadge, a Revolutionary War spy, which was listed for $2.75 million. The imminent 250th anniversary of the nation is cited as a factor in the timing of these listings, with agents reporting that the historical link is a primary sales driver.
Rhode Island also features a significant historical property, The Grange at Potowomut in Warwick, built in 1723 and later rebuilt in the 1730s. This estate, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is on the market for $3 million. It's rumored to have housed Benjamin Franklin's sister and was purchased for $1.43 million in 2020 by agents Dean deTonnancourt and Steve Meersman, who invested over $1 million into renovations. The property retains seven fireplaces and much of its period charm. In Washington D.C., one of the District's oldest homes, a four-story townhouse built in 1794 (predating the White House), is available for $1.2 million and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, boasting seven fireplaces as a remnant of its original heating system.
