THOMAS HART HOOKER HOUSE

Farmington, CT - Built just before the Revolution for Thomas Hooker and his wife Sarah Whitman, this was owned by abolitionists Samuel and Catherine Deming in the 1850s and used to shelter African American fugitives escaping from slavery in the south. No hiding place for fugitives can be found in the house today, but experts think it may have been in the base of a chimney, which was remodeled sometime in the 20th century. Old houses like this one often had enormous chimney bases, with nooks and crannies used for hiding valuables -and sometimes people. It is now the Admissions office for Miss Porter's School.

Info from - Farmington Connecticut's Historical Main Street