Fifty years ago, an extraordinary achievement took place in Granby when the Salmon Brook Historical Society successfully moved the Weed-Enders House seven miles from its original location in West Granby to the society’s grounds. Built in 1790, the Weed-Enders House is one of the oldest homes in the area, and its relocation remains a remarkable feat in local history.
The move was made more impressive by the challenging circumstances of 1974. The nation was in the midst of a gas shortage, which meant limited hours for gas stations and long delays in transportation. In addition, inflation was at 11 percent, making it difficult to secure funding or donations for the project. On the positive side, the town was celebrating GMHS’s two state champion teams—the Girls Field Hockey and Cross Country teams—adding to the community’s excitement and sense of achievement.
The last owner of the house, John Enders, had donated his buildings and hundreds of acres in West Granby to the State of Connecticut. The state accepted the land, now known as Enders State Forest, but it had no interest in preserving the buildings. Faced with increasing vandalism, the state offered to lease the Enders House to the Salmon Brook Historical Society for educational purposes—provided the society could relocate and maintain the building.
Ethel Wilson, chair of the committee overseeing the project, and Harry Lanser, president of the historical society, played pivotal roles in the house’s relocation. In January 1974, the society presented a proposal to the state outlining its commitment to raising the funds needed to move and restore the house, as well as using the building for office space and educational purposes.
The restoration and relocation of the house were entrusted to Ernest Sattler, a highly respected Granville, Mass. restoration company. The Sattler team was responsible for transporting the house, building a new foundation, restoring the interior and connecting the Weed-Enders House to the existing Abijah Rowe House on the society’s grounds.
Meanwhile, Wilson and Lanser worked tirelessly to secure the necessary funding. They raised money through private donations, grants and other funding sources, with the total cost of the project amounting to just under $34,000. Each trip to move the saltbox style house cost around $5,000. The first move took place on April 17, 1974, the second on April 24, and the final trip occurred on August 6. The travel route along Routes 219 and 20 and through the center of town on Route 10/202, attracted many amazed observers along the way.
On April 6, 1975, the building was officially opened to the public and tours began, showcasing both the Rowe House and the Enders House. Remarkably, the entire project—from moving the house and its four chimneys, raising the funds, and constructing a new foundation, to attaching the house to the Rowe House—was completed in under 18 months. This was a truly remarkable accomplishment, considering the economic challenges and gas shortages of the time.
Wilson and Lanser had a clear vision for the future of the Salmon Brook Historical Society. Their hard work, determination and collaboration with the Sattler group ensured the successful preservation of this historic building for future generations.
If you would like to learn more about the Enders House, or about the lives of Ethel Wilson and Harry Lanser, consider joining the Salmon Brook Historical Society. For more information, visit salmonbrookhistoricalsociety.com or call 860-653-9713.