Architectural Gem on College Hill

An architectural gem at the top of College Hill, the Joseph E. Fletcher house is a symbol of great industry and design in the Creative Capital. Commissioned by Charles Fletcher, the Wool King of the United States, this 1889 mansion is a showroom of Gilded Age opulence. Thousands of original details remain intact, including fine wood carvings, Florentine wallpaper, painted murals, and a birdcage elevator*. The historic property was designed by Stone, Carpenter, and Wilson, prolific architects of buildings such as the Ladd Observatory on Hope Street. Part of the Stimson Avenue Historic District, the property sits on over half an acre of land and features three distinctive, perennial gardens. The building itself is elaborate yet perfectly balanced, expertly crafted from stone, brick, wood, slate, metal, and ornamental stained glass. The house was enlarged by a later owner, Mrs. Grace Reynolds, who redesigned the ballroom in the 1930s, including commissions by muralist Robert Charles Haun. Now maintained by a mother-daughter team, the house has been restored to reflect its original history while providing modern amenities and comforts for visitors. Renters have access to the ballroom, grand staircase and foyer, four uniquely styled rooms on the parlor floor, and the grounds surrounding the house. Host your event outdoors for full accessibility or bring folks into the main floor for a Downton Abbey fantasy. The flapper-style ballroom can be used for cocktail parties, meetings, classes, or anything you can imagine. Every room has high ceilings, great natural light, and can be staged to suit your needs. *The elevator is currently non-functional. Please note, the ballroom is on the third floor and is only accessible by stairs. There is no ramp access to the house and the main entrance is ten steps up from the driveway.