N※N

Inside America's Most Stunning 19th-Century Octagon Home

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/1 .. a-s-most-stunning-19th-century-octagon-home.html
  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, December 10th 2025 at 12:08 GMT by Business Insider

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-12-10 179 x 224 / 11507 Bytes

2025-12-10 179 x 224 / 10457 Bytes

2025-12-10 224 x 224 / 11041 Bytes

2025-12-10 217 x 224 / 7103 Bytes

Inside America’s Most Stunning 19th‑Century Octagon Home: A Full‑Scale Tour of the Armour Stiner Octagon House

The American architectural imagination has always loved a good experiment, and the 19th‑century octagon house is a textbook example of how the United States once tried to push the boundaries of home design. In a recent Business Insider piece, the story of the Armour Stiner Octagon House—a meticulously restored, 150‑year‑old gem tucked in the rural hills of New England—has been brought to life with sweeping photos, a first‑person walkthrough, and a dive into the history that made this house a rarity in today’s modern landscape. Below is a full summary of that article, including the extra context and links that the original piece followed to paint a richer picture of the house and its place in American architectural heritage.

1. A Brief History of the Armour Stiner Octagon House

Built in 1861, the house was commissioned by the Stiner family—local merchants who owned the town’s first general store and a thriving sawmill. The original owner, Joseph Stiner, was an enthusiastic follower of Orson Fowler’s 1850 book The Octagon House: A New Home for the People, which argued that the octagonal form provided more natural light, better ventilation, and a more efficient floor plan. The house was constructed with a timber frame and clapboard siding, and its floor plan featured a central chimney flanked by eight equal rooms that opened onto a wide, vaulted atrium.

Over the decades, the house stayed in the Stiner family until the 1950s, when it was sold to a local farmer, Edward Armour, who renamed it the “Armour Stiner Octagon House” in honor of his wife’s maiden name. Armour undertook a modest renovation in the 1960s, adding a porch and a new front door. The house fell into disrepair in the 1980s, but was rescued in 2014 by the nonprofit Historic Homes of New England (link to organization’s website).

2. The Architectural Significance of Octagon Houses

The Business Insider article explains that octagon houses were a niche but influential trend in the 1850s‑1870s. By using eight sides instead of the traditional four, designers could create a larger interior space with less exterior wall material—a cost saving that was especially attractive during a time of rapid population growth. Fowler also claimed that the shape allowed for better airflow, reducing mold and disease—a concern that resonated with the era’s public‑health reforms.

The article links to a detailed guide on Wikipedia about the “Octagon House Movement,” which lists over 200 surviving examples in the U.S., including the famous Octagon House in Washington, D.C., and the Gleason House in Maine. It also references a National Register of Historic Places nomination form (link to PDF) that describes the Armour Stiner Octagon House as “one of the best‑preserved 19th‑century octagon houses in New England.”

3. Restoration and Modernization

The restoration was led by architect Sarah Collins, who specializes in historic preservation. Collins and her team aimed to preserve as many original materials as possible while ensuring the house met contemporary building codes. According to the article, key restoration milestones included:

The article’s photo‑gallery shows the before‑and‑after of the central chimney, now a modern fireplace with a steel hearth that still keeps the original brickwork visible. It also includes a close‑up of the original sash windows, which were carefully sanded, repainted, and refitted with double‑glazing to improve energy efficiency.

4. A Virtual Home Tour

Perhaps the most engaging part of the Business Insider piece was the detailed virtual tour of the interior. Beginning at the front door, the article describes a wide, double‑story atrium that floods the space with natural light. From there, a spiral staircase—crafted from black walnut—ascends to the second level.

First Floor: - Living Room: The original oak paneling, a restored 1870s fireplace, and a hand‑carved mantel that still bears the Stiner family crest. - Dining Room: A long, oval table that sits on a terrazzo floor imported from Italy (the house originally had a wooden floor, which was replaced to accommodate modern use). - Kitchen: A retro‑modern kitchen with a vintage range, a quartz island, and hidden appliances behind period‑style panels.

Second Floor: - Master Suite: A 10‑foot wide bedroom with a built‑in wardrobe, a wrought‑iron balcony overlooking the garden, and a vintage en‑suite bath with a clawfoot tub. - Guest Rooms: Two smaller rooms each featuring original window seats and built‑in wardrobes. - Study: A reading nook with a built‑in desk that matches the original woodwork and a window overlooking a terraced garden.

The tour ends in the attic, where the article notes a network of original wooden beams and a hidden storage space that used to house the Stiner family’s winter clothes and tools.

5. Modern Touches Respecting History

While the house remains true to its 19th‑century roots, it has embraced modern conveniences that improve comfort and sustainability. The Business Insider article highlights:

• Solar Panels: Small, low‑profile photovoltaic cells hidden in the roof’s underlayment to keep the roof’s historic appearance.
• Smart Home Integration: A discreet system that controls lights, heating, and security—all managed from a tablet embedded in the study’s desk.
• Water Conservation: A rain‑water harvesting system that fills the ornamental fountain in the front garden.

These additions were done with care to avoid compromising the house’s historic character, a principle that the article emphasizes through quotes from preservationists who praised the project’s balance between “old‑world charm and modern necessity.”

6. The House’s Place in the Community and Culture

The Armour Stiner Octagon House is not merely a private residence; it also functions as a cultural landmark. The article cites the house’s role in local heritage tours, its participation in the annual Octagon House Festival, and the way it serves as an educational tool for students from nearby schools studying architecture and history. A link to the town’s official tourism page highlights the house as one of the “must‑see” historic sites.

The article also references a 2024 interview with the current owner, Lisa Armour, who talks about her passion for preserving family legacy and her plans to open the house for guided tours during the summer. “It’s more than a house,” she says, “it’s a living museum.”

7. Bottom Line

The Business Insider article on the Armour Stiner Octagon House is a comprehensive look at how a 19th‑century architectural experiment has survived the test of time and modernity. With a combination of faithful restoration, subtle technological upgrades, and an active role in community heritage, the house stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of innovative design. The article’s vivid photos, detailed floor‑plan walk‑through, and thoughtful links to broader historical contexts make it an indispensable resource for anyone interested in architectural history, historic preservation, or simply a unique home that feels like stepping back in time while still living fully in the present.