Taylor-Sveda House

Built by Frederick W. Bunnell on land that was owned by Herman Oviatt, this house was first occupied by James Tayor. Taylor came to Hudson from England and lived there with his first wife Susan, who died at the age of 32, and then with his second wife Jane with whom he had two daughters, Isabella and Elizabeth. The lot on which the house sits was eventually split by Isabella and the second lot became the site of another home – the Isabel Hill House at 16 College Street. Elizabeth was the last member of the Taylor family to live in the house on Church Street. It was then owned by three different families until it was purchased in 1997 by architect Allan Sveda, who subsequently restored the property.

The house is a simple two-story plan consisting of a living room-kitchen, bedroom and storage room on the first floor and two bedrooms on the second floor. A 12×14 addition to the rear of the home was constructed in 1861. That room became a separate kitchen. A second addition was constructed in the early 1900s for an updated kitchen and indoor plumbing. It has been described as a “working man’s” home in contrast to the other, much larger Victorian and Greek Revival houses that line Church Street.