HOUSE HISTORY

The house  is a simple one and a half story Federal style timber frame building dating from around 1810.  Early construction techniques such as exposed corner posts and rose head nails are  in evidence. The original cooking fireplace with bake oven is in what is now the front parlor,  but was  later “Rumford-ised”  for  increased efficiency. Around 1830 to 1840 the back shed addition was added  giving the building its characteristic saltbox shape. The Greek Revival front portico was also added about this time. Looking up and down the street, one can see many other ”Greek” porches that were added onto earlier houses when this was the popular style.

The exact history of the house is unknown but the most likely first owner and builder appears to be Theophilus Dimmick (1763-1813  who moved from Falmouth Mass. to Catskill, New York in 1794 and married Abigail Hicks  (b-Catkill, NY). Over the years, the house had many owners including the Zion Lutheran Church which used it as a parish house in the middle part of the twentieth century. (Many older residents in Athens have fond memories of  attending meetings and pancake breakfasts here). The lower floor, with its separate entrance was also used as a fish market on Fridays.   The house is a fine example of  the type of  vernacular Federal houses that were built in many Hudson Valley  villages in the early part of the 19th century.

RECENT PRESS:

New York Times Real Estate Feature: House Tour: Athens, N.Y.
By BETHANY LYTTLE, Published: June 23, 2010