What Will Become Of Emma Hart Willard House?

Residents who have driven by the historic Emma Hart Willard home on the corner of Lower Lane and Norton Road have wondered what is happening to the home as it looks like it is being gutted.

Berlin Town Planner Hellyn Riggins said the home, birthplace of Emma Hart Willard, has a new owner.

"It is a new owner and we have looked at the house," Riggins said. "It is OK for them to take out the windows on the second floor but if they are going to replace them they need a permit, which they have not applied for. If they take out the first floor windows they will have to have them boarded up."

The windows on the first floor are, however, taken out and are not boarded up.

There is a large dumpster in front of the home and it appears full. Riggins said she thinks the new owner is going to demolish the house.

"If they are going to do that they definitely need a permit," Riggins added.

According to Peck Memorial Librarian Cathy Nelson, "Actually, the house that is being worked on is not the Emma Hart Willard house. She was born and grew up in a house down the street. It is the well that is at the corner that was part of the Emma Hart Willard homestead."

The owner of the property is listed as Teepee Realty LLC. The business is listed at 93 Windy Knoll Drive in Berlin, owners Henry Lavette and Pamela Lavette. Berlin Patch has a call into them to see what their plans are for the property.

Stay tuned for more information on the historic home.