Walter Bunce House
A Rare Example of Black Architectural Legacy in Connecticut
The Walter Bunce House, located in Manchester, Connecticut, is a powerful yet understated testament to African American craftsmanship in early New England. Built by Alpheus Quicy, a free Black stonemason born in 1774, this fieldstone home is one of the few remaining structures in the region attributed directly to the hands of an African American artisan during the post-Revolutionary era.
Alpheus Quicy: A Free Black Artisan of Remarkable Skill
Alpheus Quicy worked alongside his father and brother in southeastern Connecticut, where he established himself as a skilled stonemason and real estate professional. He was responsible for constructing:
- Several fieldstone houses for prominent white citizens
- Multiple stone dams throughout the Manchester area
Among all his projects, the Walter Bunce House is the only surviving structure known to be built by Quicy today. His work is a rare and invaluable part of Connecticut’s architectural and African American heritage, showing how Black labor contributed not only to infrastructure but also to cultural memory and place-making in the state.
Legacy and Significance
Unlike many Southern states that have numerous documented African American-built structures, New England holds far fewer examples, making the Walter Bunce House even more significant. Its presence challenges the idea that Black architectural labor was absent from the region and underscores the agency and economic activity of free African Americans in early Connecticut.
This site deepens our understanding of freedom, skill, and perseverance in Black history. Though understated in appearance, it stands as a quiet monument to dignity, survival, and Black excellence in the built environment.
This Site is Private Property
Please note: The Walter Bunce House is a private residence and is not open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to respect the privacy of current owners and appreciate this site from a historical and cultural standpoint.
Sources
Location
34 Bidwell Street, Manchester, Connecticut 06040