Long before Connecticut was known for insurance companies and interstates, the Connecticut River Valley was defined by farms. In Windsor, the oldest English-settled town in the state, fields of shade tobacco once stretched for miles, shaping both the landscape and the livelihoods of generations of families.
That agricultural history still echoes through the Broad Brook section of East Windsor, where a lovingly reimagined 1790 farmhouse has just come onto the market at 76 Griffin Road. The home began life as part of a working potato and tobacco farm, and nearly 235 years later it has been given a top-to-bottom renovation that honors its past while making it entirely livable for 2026.
“It really is one of the original buildings from the farm,” said Melissa Guerrero of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, who is listing the property. “The neighbor next door is actually a member of the original family. This whole area used to be potatoes and tobacco. That old barn on the property was part of it, and now it’s been modernized along with the house.”
Driving up to the property, set on 1.18 acres, it’s easy to picture an earlier era. The house sits comfortably back from the road, surrounded by open space and mature trees. A detached three-car garage with a large unfinished loft hints at all kinds of possibilities, from a workshop to a game room or home office. Are you a budding Jackson Pollock looking to create oversized masterpieces? This is a space for you.
Inside, the before-and-after transformation is striking. “The bones were incredible,” Guerrero said. “You could just feel the charm waiting to come back.”
That charm is now on full display. The renovation was essentially taken down to the studs, with every major system replaced while preserving some of the features that give the home its antique character. The original wide-plank pine floors remain, worn smooth by centuries of footsteps. Classic proportions keep the historic feel intact.
“Those are the original floors,” Guerrero said proudly. “The original brick fireplace in the sitting room is sealed, but you still get the cozy vibe. It doesn’t feel like brand-new construction. It feels like an antique home that’s been elevated into 2026.”
What is brand new, however, is just about everything else.
The kitchen has been completely rebuilt and now serves as the bright, modern heart of the house. It features new stainless-steel appliances, contemporary finishes, and a large center island designed for cooking, gathering, and everyday life.
“I think the kitchen is really outstanding,” Guerrero said. “I just love a good kitchen, and this one really delivers. The glass sliders bring the outside in and keep it really sunny and bright.”
Beyond the kitchen, the home offers a flexible and spacious layout with four true bedrooms plus a bonus fifth room that could function as an office, den, or guest space. There are two full bathrooms, also fully updated, and a comfortable flow that works as well for a quiet night in as it does for entertaining.
Practical improvements were just as important as cosmetic ones. The property now includes a new 1,500-gallon septic system, a new well pump, new furnace, and new water heater. Even the basement has been upgraded from its original dirt-floor roots to a poured concrete foundation with washer and dryer hookups and ample storage.
“Everything is new,” Guerrero said. “The systems, the mechanicals, the finishes. They really took the bare bones and put all this work into it so someone can move right in and not worry about a thing.”
Outside, the agricultural heritage of the property continues to offer possibilities. The home is zoned A-1, meaning agricultural uses are still permitted. While the lot is just under an acre and a half, there is ample room for gardens and creative green-thumb projects.
“You could absolutely do something agricultural here,” Guerrero explained. “Maybe grow flowers, have a big vegetable garden, or just enjoy the open space. And that garage with the loft gives you so many options. It could be storage, an art studio, even a home gym.”
The setting strikes a balance that many buyers are searching for. It feels rural and peaceful, yet it’s far from isolated. The property is about 20 minutes from downtown Hartford and a short drive to East Hartford and Windsor, making it an easy commute for work or recreation.
“It’s the best of both worlds,” Guerrero said. “You have that rural lifestyle, but you still have a real community around you. You’ve got space to move around, room for a dog to run, and a bit of distance from your neighbors, but you’re not out in the middle of nowhere.”
That blend of old and new mirrors what’s happening throughout East Windsor, where former tobacco farms are gradually being repurposed and reimagined for modern life.
“This house is a perfect example of that transition,” Guerrero said. “It respects the history of the area but brings it into today.”
For the right buyer, the property offers something increasingly rare: an authentic piece of Connecticut history that doesn’t require sacrificing comfort or convenience.
As Windsor approaches its 400th anniversary in the coming decade, homes like this one serve as reminders of how deeply the past is woven into the present. And thanks to a thoughtful renovation, this particular farmhouse is ready to begin its next chapter.
Info Box:
Built: 2011
Price: $459,000
Style: Colonial
Rooms: 8
Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 2 full
Square footage: 1,836
Acreage: 1.18
Mill rate: 26.49
Best Feature: All-new everything. “It’s such an amazing, very cute house,” Guerrero said. “So much history and charm, and now everything is brand new. You just don’t find that combination very often.”
Contact: William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty
Melissa Guerrero
860-970-8274