The Allis-Bushnell House
853 Boston Post Road
The Allis-Bushnell House was once home to Madison's prominent Bushnell and Scranton families. Built in 1785, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Visitors to the Allis-Bushnell House can experience five historic days that unfolded within its rooms or in homes nearby.
The home's lower-level rooms, each with distinct period architectural features, are decorated with period furniture, domestic implements, decorative arts, and paintings that illustrate how life was lived in Madison in five time periods from colonial days through the 1920s.
Each of these scenic "sets" is complemented by stories, shared by our guides, of life in the house as it was during colonial days, the Revolutionary War period, the Civil War period, and the Colonial Revival era.
The House is open every Wednesday throughout the year from 1 - 3 PM. The house is also open on occasion for special events, talks, and exhibits. Public tours are given on CT Open House Day in early June and on the fourth Saturday in November, following Thanksgiving.
The Allis-Bushnell House Garden
The Allis-Bushnell House features lovely grounds open to our members, friends, and visitors. In 2022 we hope to fully restore these grounds, as we reimagine its landscape as a place of respite and celebration for the entire community.
The Allis-Bushnell House Annex
The long shed adjacent to the Allis-Bushnell driveway is its Annex, an intriguing repository for practical implements and tools of all kinds. Along with these are artifacts relating to the USS Monitor and its connection to Madison.
Important Visitor Information
In addition to the public tours listed above, tours can be requested by special appointment. The lower level of the house is accessible to all visitors; the upper level is closed to visitors. Parking is available in a small lot at the back of the house or along the small lane that parallels the Boston Post Road. The house and the back lawn may also be rented for parties, meetings, workshops, and special occasions. Please call well in advance to request rates and information.
Curious about our Historic Paint Colors?
After extensive research and consultation with experts in 2014, the Allis-Bushnell House received a fresh coat of paint.
Its clapboards are Knightley Straw by California Paints.
Its trim and its Annex are Hepplewhite Ivory by Benjamin Moore.
Our Thanks are Due
The Allis-Bushnell House was painted and re-roofed in 2014, due to the generosity of a private donor and additional gifts from MHS members and many citizens of Madison. In 2015, the House received a new septic system, three new furnaces, a new kitchen, an ADA-compliant exterior walkway, and an ADA-compliant restroom, also supported with funds from members and a generous private donor. In 2017, a generous donation allowed us to repair and restore our two chimneys and four fireplaces, enabling their safe use for hearth dinners.