The Webster Historic Preservation Commission honored the Chatfield House, located at 62 Park Avenue, as its August Site of the Month. This recognition highlights the architectural and historical significance of the building, which stands as a prominent example of Dutch Colonial Revival architecture in the village.
The Chatfield House, built in the early-1900s, is one of only two identical gambrel-roofed houses in the village, making it an architecturally unique structure. The house features a full-width integral front porch supported by Tuscan order columns and adorned with simple picket balusters. Large gambrel dormers project from the east and west elevations, adding to the building’s distinctive appearance. Additionally, a central brick chimney rises from the roof ridge, and a hipped roof garage at the rear of the property appears to be contemporary with the house.
The property at 62 Park Avenue, where the Chatfield House stands, was originally open land with no street laid out, according to the 1872 county map. By 1902, the area had developed into a large parcel owned by McMath, though Lapham Park had not yet extended south of Park Avenue. The house and its garage first appeared on the 1924 county plat map, with Mr. J. Robeson listed as the property owner.
The home changed hands in 1999, marking a significant turning point in its history. At that time, the house had fallen into considerable disrepair. The owners between 1999 and 2006 invested significant time and resources into rehabilitating the home. In 2006, Matt and Kristi Chatfield purchased the property, and while initial renovations were minimal, they began an extensive series of updates in 2018.
“There isn’t a room in the house that we haven’t touched at this point,” Matt Chatfield told the commission during the Historic Preservation Commission’s Site of the Month presentation. The Chatfields’ renovation efforts have not only preserved the historical integrity of the building but also transformed it into a modern living space that honors its origins. The home now stands as a testament to the careful balance between historical preservation and contemporary living, helping to maintain Park Avenue as one of the village’s premier historic streets.
The Chatfield House, along with its counterpart at 69 Park Avenue, represents the Dutch Colonial Revival style with a front-facing gambrel, a design that appeared in approximately 10% of all Colonial Revival buildings, according to A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia and Lee McAlister. This style, prevalent from 1895 to 1915, often featured full-width front porches. However, the integral placement with a projecting front gambrel section makes this house a particularly unusual interpretation of the style.
The Webster Historic Preservation Commission’s selection of the Chatfield House as August’s Site of the Month underscores the importance of preserving the architectural heritage of the village. The Chatfields’ dedication to maintaining the visual and historical character of their home ensures that Park Avenue remains a vital part of Webster’s rich history.