Walking Tour of Historic District #1/Lambert Corner with Wilton’s Historian, Bob Russell

Join former first selectman and Wilton historian Bob Russell on a walking tour of the Wilton Historical Society’s preserved buildings at Lambert Corner. To be held on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m., the hour-long guided tour includes Lambert House, formerly known as “Lilacstead,” which was built on the site c.1726, and eight other buildings moved there in order to preserve them:  the Lambert Cottage, Kent District School, Hurlbutt Street Country Store and Post Office, Wilton Railroad Station, Davenport Barn, Cannon Family General Store, 18th-century Cannon Family Corn Crib and the not-to-be-missed George Davenport Greek Revival Privy. The entire site comprises Wilton’s Historic District #1.

The group will set out from the porch of the Historical Christmas Barn (150 Danbury Rd.). All are welcome, no charge.

BONUS!  Tune into our GMW Facebook Live this morning for a special sneak preview with Bob Russell, live from Lambert Corner!

Russell, author of Wilton, Connecticut:  Three Centuries of People, Places, and Progress, will share some of the interesting stories of the people associated with the buildings. He may well recount the details from a chapter in his book concerning “the most sensational crime in Wilton’s history, which took place in December 1897, when the last Wilton member of one of the town’s most prominent families, a quiet unassuming gentleman schoolteacher, David S. Lambert, was shot down in cold blood in his home, the Lambert House.”

The buildings at Lambert Corner were moved to the site of the original Lambert homestead, at the intersection of Routes 7 and 33, over the past 40 years. Most of the buildings are now used as shops and offices. The Wilton Historical Society was a pioneer in what is now called adaptive re-use – updating historic structures for contemporary use. In total, the Society has rescued 18 buildings typical of a New England rural community which now sit on three campuses in Wilton, all visible from Route 7.

The tour will end at noon at the Historical Christmas Barn store, where cider and cookies will be served. Comfortable walking attire is suggested.

Wilton, Connecticut:  Three Centuries of People, Places, and Progress is available for purchase at the Wilton Historical Society’s museum shop, the Betts Store.

Register for this event by e-mail or by calling 203.762.7257