Oxford Historical Society S. B. Church Memorial Town Hall 486 Oxford Road Oxford, Connectticut, 06478
Twitchell-Rowland Homestead, c 1755

THE NEED:
The Oxford Historical Society has long needed regular quarters in which to store and display items which depict our local heritage.  Through the generosity and cooperation of the Town Clerks over many years, we have had some space in the Town Vault in which to store documents, but more space is needed.

THE  POTENTIAL:
The Twitchell-Rowland Homestead would be an ideal local history museum for Oxford.  It would enable the Historical Society to display and collect more local artifacts and to expand our programming.  Among the programs which would be enabled by having the homestead as a museum are:

• Teach and encourage American handicrafts, such as chair caning, candle-making, quilting, and other disappearing skills.
• Become a history center resource (and field trip programs) for Oxford's children to explore and learn about their community through school, scout and other youth programs.
• Provide an opportunity for Oxford's senior citizens to share their life stories and knowledge with the younger generations.
• Encourage an understanding and appreciation of Oxford's rural agricultural history.
• Develop and provide family-oriented programs which will be both educational and enjoyable for Oxfords families.
• Encourage the collection and preservation of local history artifacts with better storage and display facilities and opportunities.

WHY THIS HOMESTEAD?
The Twitchell-Rowland Homestead is an important part of Oxford's history.  Among the earliest homes built and still standing in the town, this house has been at the forefront of Oxford's agricultural history for many years.  Among the notable historic association with the homestead are:

• The house was built by an early and prominent family -- Joseph Twitchell - and one of the Twitchell descendants married into another prominent Oxford family which took possession of the farm -- the Candee family.
• Anna Candee (who married Jeremy Twitchell) was the granddaughter of Caleb Candee of Oxford, who had nine sons. Her father, Job,  Caleb and all of his nine sons served in the Patriot Army during the American Revolution.   Three of these brothers later engaged in building in Oxford -- Daniel and Job Candee are known for building the Oxford House; Timothy is known for building the Oxford Congregational Church and several other old houses on Oxford Road.
• The Twitchel-Rowland Homestead later became home and farm of  D. C. Riggs, who was a leader in the Oxford Agricultural Society when that group operated the largest agricultural fair in the area, and a selectman of Oxford.
• The house also belonged to Owen Buckingham who operated a meat and butchering business, supplying homes and stores in Oxford, Seymour and vicinity with fresh beef, pork, lamb, and poultry.
• Philip Rowland owned the farm and raised his family there.  Known for the high quality of the milk produced there, his farm was among the first accepted to produce milk for the Creamery when it was established in Southbury.
• Mr. Rowland was one of the first Masters of the Oxford Grange.
• Mr. Rowland was also one of the organizers of the Oxford Boy Scout Troop #1.
• His daughter, Edna Rowland, was a well-known and popular school-teacher in the District Schools (including Church School) of Oxford.
• Mr. Rowland was the moderator at the Oxford Town Meeting which, after many years of  consideration and discussion, finally voted to consolidate the Oxford elementary schools into one building - voting to build the Oxford Consolidated School (now Oxford Center School).

Fundraising continues for the construction of a foundation to go under the house.   The society is actively seeking donations for this important step and is also conducting a brick sale to raise funds for the foundation.
 
 

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