Historical Homes
Property Overview
Address: 575 Leetes Island Rd, Guilford, CT 06437
Price: $959,000
Bedrooms: 2 (with flexible additional spaces)
Bathrooms: 2
Living Space: 3,140 sq ft
Lot Size: 0.64 acres
Year Built: 1710
Property Type: Single Family Residence
Price per sq ft: $305
Listed by:
Mary-Jo McAvey (203-767-6427)
William Raveis Real Estate (203-255-6841)
Source: Smart MLS / Zillow
Property Link: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/575-Leetes-Island-Rd-Guilford-CT-06437/58900244_zpid/
Photo Credit: Listing photos via Zillow
The Pelatiah Leete House – 300+ Years of American History 🇺🇸
Perched on a gentle rise with water views toward the Long Island Sound, this crimson colonial isn’t just old—it’s foundational.
Built in 1710, the Pelatiah Leete House has stood through:
• Colonial America
• The American Revolutionary War
• Over three centuries of change
And remarkably… only five families have ever owned it.
A True Post & Beam Time Capsule
This is the kind of home where history isn’t displayed—it’s built into every surface:
• Original wide-plank chestnut floors
• Classic post & beam construction
• Four fireplaces, including beehive ovens
• Handcrafted corner cupboards & built-ins
Every room carries the weight—and beauty—of early American craftsmanship.
Interior Layout
Despite its age, the home offers a surprisingly livable flow:
• Formal dining room, parlor, and large living room
• Cozy den with adjacent full bath (used as bedroom in the past)
• Updated kitchen with Carrara marble counters & wine cooler
• Dutch door opening to a gracious outdoor patio
Upstairs:
• Two primary bedrooms
• Additional flexible rooms (library/bonus spaces)
• Updated full bath + laundry
Grounds & Setting 🌿
• Elevated lot with water views of Shell Beach Lagoon
• Professionally arranged garden “rooms”
• Crushed white stone landscaping
• A peaceful, almost storybook-like coastal setting
It feels like a New England painting you can live in.
Historic Status (and a Rare Twist)
The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places—yet notably:
👉 No restrictive limitations on ownership changes or updates
That combination—historic pedigree + flexibility—is incredibly rare.
Lifestyle
This is for someone who values:
✔ Authentic early American architecture
✔ Quiet coastal living
✔ A home that tells a story before you even speak
And yet, you’re still:
• Minutes from town and beaches
• Roughly 2 hours to NYC or Boston
Final Thought
Most “historic homes” borrow charm from the past.
This one is the past.
The Pelatiah Leete House isn’t just preserved—it’s alive, still evolving after more than 300 years.
