During the planned demolition of the John C. Walley home at 232 Danbury Rd., the Wilton Historical Society successfully removed 12 large posts and beams from the structure for long term preservation. These significant artifacts will serve as centerpieces for interpreting and sharing Wilton’s history.
The building was demolished to make way for the future new headquarters for the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps (WVAC).
Constructed by Daniel Betts IV in the early 1800s, the original structure was purchased in 1838 by Walley, a formerly enslaved man in Wilton. He lived there until 1848 when he moved to Bridgeport. After Walley, the building was occupied by several different owners, who made extensive renovations and additions to the property from the 1860s through to the late 1980s, including modifications to the original 1.5-story structure that Betts had built.
Over the course of the two day demolition process, the Society was able to identify historic structural pieces to be removed, and they were safely transported back to the Society’s museum campus. There, they will be inventoried, tagged, and prepared for long term preservation. Plans for incorporating these artifacts into an educational display are still being developed.
The preservation of these materials is the result of a nearly year-long process, beginning in the summer of 2024 when the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps purchased the historic property. During that time period, the Society worked closely with WVAC members to conduct an investigation of the historic structure to determine the extent of any original construction and then outline a plan for removal.
“Through this project, Wilton Historical can effectively share the story of John C. Walley, his family, and the often underrepresented African American community that lived and worked in Wilton during the 18th and 19th centuries as part of the Society’s mission to preserve Wilton’s history, and connect, engage and educate all who would look to the past to shape the future,” Wilton Historical Society Executive Director Nick Foster said.
The Society initially spoke to Rob Sanders and Dave Gengo as historical preservation consultants during this process. In addition, the Society extended its sincere gratitude to Kevin Craw, Karl Dolnier, Chris Lavin, Sam Lavin, John Barber and Bill Earls for their significant investigations of the building; and to Craw, Dolnier and Johnny Cameron, who labored to get the retrieved beams back safely to the Society. The Society additionally thanked demolition machinery operator and Wilton native Rich Ruggles for his coordination with the organization’s officials during the demolition process.
“This collaborative effort between the Wilton Historical Society, the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and dedicated members of the Wilton community represents the successful balance of historic preservation and the development of important town infrastructure,” Foster said.
Foster said other members of the community were consulted throughout the development of the plan, including members of the Gregory family — direct descendants of the property’s former 20th-century owners, who are also helping to preserve a portion of the property.