220 Pearl Street
This five-by-two bay Federal style building, along with 223 and 226 Pearl Street embody the heart of the Pearl Street Historic District. It is believed that this home was built by Henry Whitney, a successful local blacksmith who lived here and maintained a shop a short distance away down the street(3). It is regarded as one of the best surviving examples of this period and clearly appears on the 1830 map (see insert above).
In February of 1824 Whitney purchased a large tract of land within the Town of Burlington. This purchase included the five acre plots numbered 11, 12, 115, and 116 which includes all of the area now bounded by Pearl Street on the south, North Winooski Ave, on the west, North Street on the north and North Union on the east. Shortly thereafter he probably built this large mansion as his dwelling. He lived here until his death in 1875(4).
In 1882 Hiram E. Adams moved from North Winooski Ave. to 220 Pearl Street, using the wealth from his successful jewelry business at 107 Church Street to secure the property. In 1886 William S. Rann stayed with Adams while conducting research for his vast History of Chittenden County which was published that same year(5).
In 1889 Adams opened up a street through his
orchard to the north which came to be known as LaFayette Place,
and in 1905 he died in his home. Two years afterward the home
was sold and remodeled into apartments(6).
