12 E. Stafford Street

Background

The five-bay Federal brick house was built in 1818 by Arora Buttles. The porch is a later Victorian addition. Its early owners were prominent community leaders: Buttles a mason and builder, Abner Henry Pinney a merchant, Sidney Brown a cooper and grocer. The structure retains much of its original character. It is an excellent example of the combined residential/commercial architecture popular during the early 19th century. Even though it has been converted from residential to office use, visitors who enter the original family quarters will find built-in cupboards flanking the fireplace very similar to those in the Orange Johnson House, also built by Buttles. The house is presently occupied by the High Road Gallery, which exhibits the work of Central Ohio artists.