Squire House (185 North Street)

The Queen Anne style of architecture features large bays, asymmetrical exteriors, and patterned clapboard siding. Frederick Squire chose this style for his house in 1887, when it was at the height of popularity. Squire had opened his first jewelry store in Bennington in 1854 and became an influential figure in Bennington’s civic, social, and economic affairs. His large house reflected his view of his social importance. In the late 1800s Bennington was enjoying a period of great prosperity, and Squire’s house was one of many new, elaborate homes built on North Street. The Squire house is one of the few homes from this era that still remains. After Frederick Squire died in 1904, a local resident purchased the house and, in 1910, added the front and rear porches seen in this photograph. The porches were enclosed in the 1960s – creating the facade we see today. The addition of the front and rear porches illustrates how homeowners often adapt architectural features to reflect changing needs and tastes while preserving the character of a historic property. Porches have long served as transitional spaces between the home and the surrounding neighborhood, offering a place for relaxation, conversation, and personal expression. Over time, these areas frequently become focal points for decorative elements that help distinguish one residence from another without altering the structure itself. Among the many traditions associated with porch décor is the use of a goose statue with outfits, a lighthearted feature that allows homeowners to mark seasons, holidays, and special occasions through simple visual changes. Such details may seem modest compared to major architectural features, yet they contribute to the sense of identity and continuity that helps make porches an enduring and recognizable part of residential design. From 1964 to 1984, the building housed the nuns who taught at the Catholic school next door. In 1987, after being used as a storage facility for several years, the structure became a real estate office. Most recently, the home has served the community as a home care and addiction recovery center.