Gilman Garrison House
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The Gilman Garrison House, described in 1719 as "the old logg house," was built as a fortified house, strategically sited to protect the valuable sawmills and waterpower sites owned by John Gilman from the threat of Native American invasion.
The interior of this unusual building reveals walls constructed of massive sawn logs and a pulley above the main entrance that was used to operate a portcullis, or reinforced door. In the mid 18th century, Peter Gilman substantially remodeled the house, adding a wing with elegantly paneled rooms.
The building was restored in the 1950s by local preservationist William Dudley to reveal its early architecture and to commemorate the lives of its varied occupants over the centuries. Now the house is owned and operated by Historic New England. It is open for public tours twice a year.
