James Painter House

The James Painter House was constructed in several episodes, with the original house built in 1770 by James Painter (one of three sons of Samuel Painter) and his wife Jane. The original house measured 30 by 30 feet, was two stories in height, and had a stone kitchen. The masonry joint of the southeast corner of the original house can be seen just to the right of the main entrance as one enters the “Mansion House”. James Painter’s grandson (also James) inherited the property upon his grandfather’s death in 1822, and he and his wife Betsy expanded the house in 1847. This “repair” included the addition of a third story, a two-story kitchen with bake oven, and a two-bay, three-story wing. The original 1770 date stone was also relocated to the third story of the west gable end at this time. In 1902, Charles Mather added a three-story massively-pillared portico to the south facade of the building and in 1912, he added a 42’ by 24’ brick ballroom to the east gable end of the 1847 addition (also demarcated by a date stone). The second floor of the James Painter House and its several additions is currently used as executive offices and conference rooms, and the first floor frequently accommodates special functions. Proceed up the driveway to the west end of the Mansion House plot and face the Formal Gardens along Country Club Road.