So who was Martha Culver, and why would you want to visit her house?

On Sunday, July 22 and August 19, the Martha Culver House (290 Quinnipiac Ave.) will be open to the public for tours - so who was Martha Culver, and why would you want to see her house?

       Martha Culver was born in North Haven on July 26, 1864, the youngest child of Ammi and Delia Culver.  Ammi was a brick yard owner, and built the home Martha would live in most of her life from North Haven brick manufactured somewhere along the Muddy River in North Haven.  Shortly after Martha was born her father died – Delia sold the brick yard but kept her home, which she continued to live in with Martha, Martha's older brother Benjamin, and Sam Sackett, her second husband.  Martha seemed to have a fairly typical upbringing and eventually married Frank Smith, a farm laborer in town.  (Frank was supposedly the handsomest man in North Haven!)  But Martha did not remain married long – she divorced Frank (very shocking for the time!) and travelled the country ministering to those in need.  She even spent some time volunteering in a prison!  She returned to the family home in North Haven, where she lived until her death in 1926. 

   
       Martha Culver never had children, nor did her older brother Benjamin.  Martha was the last surviving member of the Culver family, so she left the family home and the land it sits on to the Town of North Haven.  In her will she stipulated that the house and property be used as a community gathering place and include a library and recreational fields.  Subsequently the Montowese branch of the North Haven Public Library was located in the home for many years – a book drop can still be seen on the front porch.  The property is now home to the Montowese Volunteer Fire House and recreational fields, as well as the Martha Culver House.  Martha continued her spirit of giving to the community even after her death!

       Thanks to the Town of North Haven, the North Haven Historical Society is fortunate to be able to preserve this interesting period of North Haven’s history.  The Martha Culver House has been furnished to reflect the lifestyle of a middle-class family like the Culvers in the second half of the 19th century.  It also houses an exceptionally fine collection of agricultural artifacts from North Haven’s Brockett family.  The house will be open on Sunday, July 22 from 12 – 3 pm, and again on August 19 from 12 – 3 pm.  To commemorate Martha’s 148th birthday there will birthday cake and jazz music – her favorites!  So join us this summer – you’ll be glad you did!