Henry Whitfield State Museum

Guilford, Conn. (WTNH) - Formidable and stately in appearance, the Henry Whitfield State Museum in Guilford is a sight to behold. Built in 1639, it stands as the oldest home in Connecticut and the oldest stone house in New England.

"It is very unique because the English settlers didn't usually build out of stone," said Michael McBride, curator of the museum.

• Visit the museum at CultureandTourism.org

The building was once the home of Reverend Henry Whitfield, Guilford's founding father. "Henry was a Puritan minister who led a group of about 350 people here in 1639. They were coming for religious freedom like most of the settlements in New England.

And like their freedom they took their security very seriously. The stone home served as a virtual fortress.

"The Whitfield House was actually one of four houses like this that the first settlers built to help protect the community," McBride said. "You kind of look at it as the 'Three Little Pigs' kind of concept."

Step inside the 3,000 square foot building and it's like stepping back in time.

"When people come to visit they are walking through the space that existed back in the 1640's."

The front hall features a huge stone fireplace that serves as a centerpiece for the home and life four centuries ago. Strong, thick walls surround you, built to repel invaders. On the second floor is a rare corner window used as a lookout for a potential attack from the harbor beyond.

"It was totally sealed up," McBride explained, "and people had created this legend -- oh there was a window that viewed the harbor -- and in the 30's the architect ripped everything off (and) he found it."

The artifacts inside are just as valuable for piecing together the past. From the 17th to 19th century furniture that decorates the home to the fascinating items that detail the local history.

"Most of the pieces are Connecticut pieces since we started out as the state museum," McBride said.

One piece is the tower clock from the second and later the third meeting house in Guilford. "It's extremely important because it's the first clock tower made here in the colonies."

This visual tour just scratches the surface as to what the Whitfield Museum has to offer.

"It's something we try to get across to all our visitors, is that the human element -- no matter what the uniqueness of the building or the site or the event is -- the human element is something you can really relate to.