The Wilton Historical Society Announces Plan for Retrieval of Historic Pieces of the John C. Wally Structure
The Wilton Historical Society, working in partnership with the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps, is readying to extract and preserve parts of the historic structure at 232 Danbury Road associated with John C. Wally. Starting in late 2024, the Society has discussed options with several architectural historic building consultants to determine the condition and extent of the historic structure. After these investigations, including on-site work to actually open up the walls and determine what remains of the original structure, the Society is finalizing details on a plan to remove pieces of the original framing for preservation and to display for educational purposes.
Originally constructed by Daniel Betts IV in the early 1800s, Wally – a formerly enslaved man in Wilton – purchased the property and dwelling in 1838 and lived on the site until 1848 when he moved to Bridgeport. After Wally, the building was occupied by several different owners, who made extensive renovations and additions to the property from the 1860s through to the late 1980s, including modifications to the original one and half story structure built by Betts.
Due to these renovations, only a small portion of the building contains actual remains from the period when Wally owned the home, and these portions do not constitute a full structure. The removed materials will be individually identified, preserved, and stored by the Society, with the intention of incorporating them as part of an educational public display.
In working with the WVAC, the Society is honored to play a part in preserving the tangible legacy of John C. Wally and his fellow enslaved and free African Americans who lived and worked in Wilton during the 18th and 19th centuries, and will ensure continued opportunities for education and memorialization long into the future.
Nick Foster
Director