pratt house

The Pratt house is located within a quarter mile of the north end of the shopping area in Essex Village (Main Street), so it is well within walking distance if you are parked on Main Street. Be advised that the house is open only on Friday-Sunday, from 1:00-4:00pm.We were in town on July 4 and hence were not sure if the site would closed for the holiday, but as we were driving out from Essex Village we saw the "Open" sign on the front lawn and decided to stop in right then. (If it had been closed, we would have returned on Saturday to visit.) You can tour the house in 30-45 minutes, depending on how much you examine individual items and how many questions you might ask. Only certain portions of the entire complex are open to the public. Admission is free, and the volunteers who guide you through are friendly and accommodating. Parking is available on site (the side lawn), but somewhat limited. Unless there is a sudden rush of visitors, you will probably not encounter a problem.This house is filled with period furniture, and it has a long, local history (nine generations of the Pratt family). It has that definite old "smell" to it (no, not offensive but distinctive) and it is both charming and educational. Considering its historical value and its proximity to Essex Village, it is well worth a visit.The only practical consideration is that to view the top floor (not required) you must ascend a flight of stairs that is narrow and steep, so people with any walking or climbing difficulties should be advised.