An undated photo of 17 East Chestnut. (John Matthews Collection)
The Webster House of 1905 in Kingston is smaller and simpler than the McKim design, but follows it in the symmetry of the streetfront, in the hipped roof with triangular pedimented dormers and balustrade atop, and in the use of classical details — notably the porch columns and cornices with delicate dentils. Teller revived American Federal (c. 1810) sources for the classical treatment of the front door with slender columns, sidelights, and an elliptical-arched fanlight. Somewhat unusual but also stemming from Federal-style sources are the three-part windows to either side of the porch which expand upward with semicircular fan motifs in wood.
In contrast to the variety of projections and recessions and dark and light colors that mark the Chandler house, the Webster house seems severe in its rectilinear massing and flat, white-painted clapboard walls. As often the case in the Colonial Revival, the side elevations are less formal in design. The east wall, for example, has a window inserted between the first and second stories, suggesting a staircase landing within.
Teller was beginning to develop his mastery of the Colonial in 1905. About this time he also designed white-columned porches and elliptical-arched doorways for the De Witt Roosa House on Fair Street and the altered Sleight-Tappen (DAR) House at Green and Crown streets. Little is known about Grove Webster’s awareness of architectural matters, it seems reasonable to assume that Teller chose the style for his house, a style very widely admired at the time for its good taste and deep American roots.
Today, the two houses, outstanding examples of the Tudor style and the Colonial Revival, designed by Kingston’s most prominent architect Myron Teller at the beginning of the 20th century, stand side-by-side looking like they have seen better times. But unless something can be done soon to change their present situations, Kingston may lose two irreplaceable architectural landmarks.
I lived at 17 East Chestnut Street in the late 1950’s through the mid 1960’s. My parents then sold it to Dr. Maroon (my spelling my be wrong) and Dr. Jacobson lived next door to us in the tudor home. He had a swimming pool in the backyard.
It was my mom who built the patio in the back of #17 and the barn was still in good condition. We had a small orchard of apple trees in the back as well.
About 5 years ago 17 E. Chestnut was for sale and I went to show it to buyers of mine (I’m a Realtor) and I literally broke down and cried on the front steps to see what happened to this grand old home. Sadly, the interior has been stripped of most its character. The owners of that home should rot in hell.
Oh My God. I could not get this home (17 E. Chestnut) out of my mind and heart the past few days! I just had to look it up just now! My parents were friends of the Maroons and I spent many many happy hours in this home!!! I can still see most of it like it was yesterday…the black and white checkered floor which covered most of the central area on the ground floor, the incredible guest bath at the end of the entry way, when you first walked in the room on the right was the ‘TV’ room-it was small but a wonderful and loving place…to the left was the large living room with two entrances and the fire place, in the back was the large dining room…the kitchen as a ‘working kitchen, I can still see my Mom and ‘Aunt Dot’ (Dottie Maroon) washing dishes, the furnished basement with the pool table and upstairs just so many bedrooms!!.Oh too many details to mention. I also could not get out of my mind the back patio and the ‘barn’ which was also used as a garage at the time!! I can’t believe I found your post and your Mom had built these last two items. The Maroons were a class act and the home was beautiful and full of love. When I was just inspired to look up this home, I too just about cried when I saw even just the yard!! The Maroons had it perfectly landscaped with the biggest most beautiful lawn urn full of flowers on the left side (near 15 E. Chestnut). I share your memories and your love of this home. Thank you, I am so glad I looked this up!