There is no official documentation on the build date of this “Connecticut saltbox” house now called The 1810 House. But to be sure, it has had many incarnations since it was built.

An early postcard of the 1810 House when it was the town’s Y.M.C.A.

In 1954 the 1810 House was purchased by Madison and Elizabeth Lewis from the American Legion to preserve and restore. The condition of the house was very bad at that time and needed complete renovation. They removed the gymnasium first which was at the rear of the house. The building had an enclosed stairway leading to the second floor. The Lewis’ had been given an old stairway by Harry Demerest and Dr. and Mrs. M.R. Bradner- they installed it, turning the stairway around to lead up from the front door.

Entering the house, the room on the left was restored, building a new chimney with a wood burning fireplace. The mantel had been given by Mr. Roy Vail. It came from the old dismantled Wawayanda House (Hotel) on Colonial Avenue where Frank Forester, the author, had stayed when he visited Warwick from England in 1840. Roy Vail lent his collection of Frank Forester memorabilia which he had acquired through the years. The room is still called the Frank Forester Room.

The room on the right of the door was also completely re-done-- a new chimney, a Franklin Stove which had come from the old Paddock house on Main Street. A kas from Albany stored old photographs and different items which people in Warwick had given.

They built the kitchen off the dining room and Miss Aileen Demerest moved in and was in resident for several years.

The earliest deed for land is 1822 and cites James Benedict as grantor to Daniel Olmstead. No named owners appear on any of the maps until 1903 when it was the YMCA. 1810 Daniel Olmstead built it; James Bradner owned it and rented it to William (“Pie”) Welling a pie seller. YMCA, then in 1875 housed the second library of Warwick then to the American Legion in 1931 ; 1953 Elizabeth Sanford Lewis (“Warwick Museum”); Mrs. Madison Lewis (“1810 House”). The Warwick Historical Society held its first meeting in this house beginning in 1906.

Plaque on the front of the 1810 House.

Another early post card of the 1810 House when it was the town’s Y.M.C.A. On the right, you can see the roof of the gymnasium in the back known as “the shed”.

Drone picture of the 1810 House and Herb Wheel Garden in back.

In 1976 Mrs. Elizabeth Lewis Van Leer, President of the Society, offered to donate the 1810 House along with money for maintenance. This would make the 1810 house the fourth structure that the Society owned. An incredible achievement at the time for such a small society

Mr. Robert Richmond lived in a portion of the house and acted as Curator for a time. The contents of the Frank Forester room loaned by the Vails were purchased and then donated to the Society.

Plaque on the door of the front room in the 1810 House.

In 2016, the 1810 House was leased to interior design company, Bertolini & Co. until 2020 when it was returned to the Society.

The parlor of 1810 House as a showroom for Bertolini & Co.

The Frank Forester Room of 1810 House as a work room for Bertolini & Co.

Today, the “Connecticut saltbox” house is home to the Warwick Historical Society’s administrative offices, gift shop, gallery and display rooms.