J. H. Walker/William Norton Home and Farmstead

The home on this property is a typical example of a mid-1800s farmhouse, built as a cross-gable, two-story home. It is timber-framed, mortise and tenon, with pin fasteners. The basement shows the use of a pit saw as well as adze markings in the structural beams. Despite several additions, the structure contains many original elements and is well-preserved.

This home has the distinction of being one of four homes, two of which remain, belonging to the Walker family located in what was called the “Walker Settlement.” Robert Walker and his sons arrived on this land in 1802 and purchased it from Theodore Parmelee in 1815. The home was built in 1847 by John Walker, replacing an earlier cabin.

The longest and most prominent owner was William Norton, a noted survivor of the Civil War Sultana tragedy and a leading citizen of Darrowville, a once-thriving farm community located between Hudson and Stow on Route 91. This farmstead retains many original buildings including an 1833 barn, a granary, chicken coop and other outbuildings. This section of the original farm was preserved when the rest of the farmland was developed into Weston Place.