A 1908 look inside ‘Beinhurst’ the Woodbridge home of Wilhelm and Annie Bein

It's not often that we catch a glimpse of what home life was like over a century ago in our little town. But the historical catalog of American Homes and Garden magazine provides just such a portal in time. Let's take a look!

First, let's begin with the proper full credit to the author and publisher of this article (which can be read in full at the HathiTrust website, PDF page 620):

“BEINHURST”
The Summer Home of William A. Bein, Esq., at “Still Wood Park” in the Woodbridge Hills, Near New Haven, Connecticut
By Samuel Sherman

Today, as motor vehicles whiz up the long hill from New Haven, ducking briefly under the Wilbur Cross Parkway overpass as Fountain Street rushes toward the 3-way intersection with Park Lane — where Ansonia Road (Route 243) and Rimmon Road (Route 313) begin — nestled in the landscape along the north side of the road, the careful observer may notice a pair of distinctive stone pillars. Here's what the entrance to this parcel looks like today:

It is here that Wilhelm Adolph Bein (1859-1943), also sometimes referred to as William A. Bein, and his wife Annie Klauder Bein (1862-1946) chose to build their summer home after settling in New Haven where Wilhelm had established himself as Superintendent of a piano factory according to the census of 1910. The couple had at least three children, Arthur, Stanley, and Howard.

In the pages of the 1911 publication “Woodbridge Hills” presented by the Woodbridge Civic Association, 'Wm. A. Bein' is listed as a member of the Civic Association's executive board, and in this capacity he also serves on the Public Service committee, alongside neighbors William H. Hotchkiss and James L. Nesbit who live nearby. The association makes clear the purpose of the 1911 publication is to further the goals of the 'civic booster club' that was formed to bring together newcomers to the community with those from families that have lived in Woodbridge for generations to promote projects they believe are in the best interest of the town, as it faces what must have felt like a rapidly unfolding future.

“This organization was founded in 1910, and has had a prosperous existence. Its purpose is manifold, and may be briefly stated as follows: —To bring together the permanent and summer residents of the town, with their diverse interests, and unite them in the promotion of the higher welfare of the community. To awaken a civic pride in the external aspects of the town. This includes the stimulation of interest in the existing specimens of colonial architecture and other antiquities, the encouragement of fitting and worthy types of modern building and the preservation of scenic beauty in the landscape. To further encourage the movement for good roads. To try to interest the town in securing better telephone service, and, if possible, a public lighting system. To keep steadily before the citizens the imperative need of a trolley line or some other means of transportation between Woodbridge and the nearby towns.

In addition to these aims, the Association adds that of the general promotion of the higher life of the community. It seeks to encourage the social life. It desires, by lectures and entertainments of musical and literary character, to foster the intellectual life. And it looks with friendly eyes on the project long entertained by the citizens of the town, of having a central school, library, and town hall.”

In the section introducing some of the more 'modern homes' built recently in Woodbridge — including Beinhurst, which is pictured a few pages later — the association's booklet describes the forces of development at play in Woodbridge as the first decade of the 20th century comes to a close:

“The climate and attractive scenery of Woodbridge began many years ago to attract the attention of people to the town as a place of summer residence. Families who came as boarders at first, often bought houses and farms, till at present the demand has outgrown the supply. Several old colonial residences have been restored. New houses, ranging from the bungalow type to something far more pretentious, have been erected on commanding hilltops.”

In the pages of the American Homes and Gardens magazine, published a few years previous to the Civic Association's booklet, the author introduces the Bein's newly constructed summer home in the hills of Woodbridge, stating, “The house has been christened 'Beinhurst,' and is of a simple and picturesque mountain lodge type of architecture.” Built in a rustic style, it is described as a square structure with a wide veranda supported by cedar posts resting on moss-covered stone piers. The roof, with dormer windows and a unique stone chimney, is said to have been designed to harmonize with the natural surroundings.

The article notes that “Mr. Bein built his house within view of the ascending roadway, which winds upward through the gateway, passing the stable on the way to the house, which is perched on a hill four hundred and sixty-five feet above the sea level and which is sixteen feet higher than West Rock.” The author also draws a connection between the Bein family's home and that of another well-known neighbor (also recently mentioned here on TownHistory toward the end of our post on 'Hillhouse and Woodbridge family connections'):

“One does not realize the beauty and the charm of the Connecticut Hills for the seeker of pleasure, recreation and health, until one has climbed their heights, and the hills of Woodbridge are not the exception to the many hills to be found in dear old Connecticut. So it is not surprising that Mr. Bein, when looking for a site for his summer home, chose the one he did with its magnificent view of land and sea, for while it seems as if it were among the mountain tops, it is in reality only four miles from Long Island Sound. It is to these beautiful hills which are always so fascinating to the lover of nature, that Donald G. Mitchell (Ik Marvel), the distinguished author, built his home and found rest and peace among them.”

As for the interior of 'Beinhurst,' the magazine article describes how the home exuded a rustic, comfortable charm in 1908. The first floor included a large living room with a massive fieldstone fireplace, creating an inglenook with seating. The decor was crafted from local wood, including custom furniture in the Roycroft style. The dining room and kitchen were similarly furnished, with stained glass windows adding warmth and light to the space. The second floor held four bedrooms, a trunk room, a bathroom, and a servant's room, all equipped with modern amenities of the time.

The magazine also describes the grounds surrounding the house, where a stable designed to match the main house was equipped for horses and carriages and featured a spring-fed watering trough. The article notes that this most essential utility — then and now — was “pumped from the engine placed in the rustic house at the foot of the hill; this engine also supplies the main house with water. The entire plant — house, stables and enginehouse — was designed by the son of the owner, Arthur G. Bein, a student of architecture.”

This is a reference to Wilhelm and Annie's first-born, Arthur Gustav Bein (1884-1935), who went on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, where he is pictured in the yearbook as a vital young man. In 1910, Arthur married Mildred Stapley Byne (1873-1941), who was a well-known writer on architecture and art, and a member of the Society of Woman Geographers. A Brooklyn newspaper's profile of Mildred in 1927 — in which the surname Bein has undergone a transformation to Byne — described the pairing of these two dynamic individuals. The article begins by introducing Mildred:

“one of the greatest living authorities on Spanish architecture and art, and who crossed Africa from Cape to Cairo before the railroad was put through, has just sailed for Spain to glean new material and finish another book of the series that has won for her international fame.
Caught on the wing, so to speak, just before her departure for Madrid, she graciously consented to discuss herself and her work. Mrs. Byne and her husband, Arthur Byne, architect, photographer and collaborator, who adds his technical knowledge to the keen powers of observation and facile pen of his gifted wife, were seen in their suite at an up-town hotel.”

This dashing couple went on to travel in Europe extensively — France, Italy, and England are listed on his passport application in 1918, in addition to Spain — before Arthur's life was tragically cut short when he was involved in an automobile accident while in Madrid. The American Foreign Service filed a report of his death in July 1935. The document itself torn and frayed, bears sad witness to Arthur's unfortunate end.