Built before America existed, this 1685 home is now selling for nearly $2 million – what makes its four fireplaces, pool and 3.67 acres so valuable?

A house that stood long before the United States became an independent country is now looking for a new owner. Built around 1685, the historic property in Connecticut has been listed for $1,995,000. It comes with four bedrooms, four fireplaces, two barns, a swimming pool and nearly four acres of land.

Located at 55 Good Hill Road in Woodbury, Connecticut, the property is more than just an old house. It offers a glimpse into how people lived centuries ago, while also having several features expected in a modern home.

The house was built almost 90 years before the United States declared independence in 1776. According to a booklet provided by the listing agents, it is among the oldest continuously lived-in homes in the county.

The 3,324-square-foot property follows the gambrel saltbox style, an architectural design associated with early New England homes. Despite its age, the house has undergone restoration and modern upgrades while retaining many of its original features.

What makes this 1685 Connecticut home so unusual?

The house has 11 rooms, including four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms. Its historic character is visible throughout the interiors, particularly in the hand-hewn wooden beams, wide king's board flooring and hand-planed chestnut floorboards.

One of its most striking features is the large central hearth, which connects three sitting rooms. The living room was originally used as the kitchen. It still has a fireplace measuring 10 feet across, along with a traditional beehive oven that was once used for baking.

Another room now serves as a library, but it has a very different history. It was originally a borning room, a space used for childbirth. The attic also has an unusual past, having once served as a smokehouse. Some of the old hooks used there remain attached to the living room beams.

The office has its own historical connection. It was once part of an old grist mill that was later joined to the house.

The kitchen, meanwhile, has been updated with modern cabinets, a large central island and a breakfast bar. The room also overlooks the property's lawn.

The property offers considerably more than its historic interiors. Its 3.67 acres include a wide lawn, a backyard deck and an outdoor area with an in-ground swimming pool and jacuzzi.

A bridge connects different parts of the grounds and leads towards the pool area. There is also a separate cabana with a great room, barbecue area, bar and changing room.

Two barns add further space to the property. One provides garage space, while the other has been fitted with propane heating, water and electricity. According to the listing booklet, the second barn could be converted into a guest house, studio or recreation room.

The original water well also remains on the grounds.

The main house has central air conditioning and hydro-air heating powered by propane. Recent improvements include a new HVAC system with humidification and a mahogany deck overlooking the backyard.

Why is the asking price much higher than local home values?

At $1,995,000, the property is priced well above typical homes in the area. Redfin reported that the median sale price in Woodbury's 06798 ZIP code was $565,000 in February 2026.

That puts the historic house's asking price at more than three times the local median. However, the comparison does not fully account for its age, land, additional buildings, pool and historic features.

Redfin data also indicated that homes in the area generally sold for around 2% below their asking prices and spent approximately 74 days on the market.