One of the oldest homes still standing within the borders of a quaint Connecticut village has recently reemerged on the market for the first time in nearly 28 years.
But the history of the property, which is located in Essex, CT, dates back far longer than those three decades, having been built so long ago that it is almost impossible to pin down its exact origins.
Known as the Parker Bull House in honor of its first two owners, the elegant abode is said, in some records, to have been built in 1719 for a man named Joseph Parker, before being sold in 1740 to Capt. Edward Bull for the tiny price of 180 pounds.
Today, the centuries-old home is being offered for $799,900.
Overlooking the scenic Falls River in the historic Essex village of Ivoryton, the three-bedroom colonial offers a rare glimpse into early New England architecture that’s been both beautifully preserved and thoughtfully updated.
Blending three centuries of historic details with contemporary amenities, the home offers roughly 2,456 square feet of living space on a 1.6 acre lot.
Though it has undergone many an update over the years, the property maintains many of the finest original materials that were used in its initial construction, including hardwood floors, fireplaces, and exposed beams.
“Some floors are the original chestnut, but the kitchen and baths have all been updated,” says listing agent Susan Malan with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty. “This is an amazing property with loads of history!”
Built decades before the American Revolution, the house would have stood at a time when the region was defined by maritime trade, small farms, and riverside industry—harnessing the water power of the Connecticut River and its tributaries to run mills and other local businesses.
Homes of this era were typically constructed with timber frames, central chimneys, and multifunctional hearth spaces that served as the center of daily life. Inside, the property balances this antique character with updated finishes.
Original wide-board hardwood floors run throughout the home, and fireplaces appear in multiple first-floor living spaces and upper-level bedrooms—including one with a traditional oven once used for baking bread.
Warm and inviting interiors flow into an updated kitchen with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances, while a nearby heated sunroom provides views of the surrounding rural landscape. Thoughtfully updated bedrooms and bathrooms are spread across the residence, offering comfortable accommodations without sacrificing the home’s colonial identity.
Set on a generous 1.6-acre parcel overlooking the Falls River, the property’s setting further enhances its historic appeal.
“You can hear the waterfall from the home and easily walk to Ivoryton Village and the Ivoryton Playhouse,” says Malan.
The land around the home also serves as the perfect place to entertain, soak up the beautiful scenery, or simply sit and watch the river flow by.
Much like the home itself, Ivoryton is rich in history, having been named for its once-thriving ivory manufacturing industry—a reputation that many believe was established by Samuel Merritt Comstock, who, according to the Essex website, “responsible for making Ivoryton an ivory and piano parts center of the United States.”
The historic theater is one of the oldest continuously operating summer theaters in the United States and has hosted legendary performers like Katharine Hepburn and Marlon Brando.
The village itself also offers a collection of boutiques, taverns, and cafes, while nearby Essex Village provides additional waterfront restaurants, shops, and marinas along the Connecticut River.
Located within an hour’s drive of both New Haven and Hartford, the Parker Bull House offers the chance to live in a riverside storybook village steeped in colonial history while still enjoying things like indoor plumbing and a washing machine.
