1890 Cassidy House to be owned by Norwich after tax foreclosure auction

NORWICH — Several curiosity seekers walked around the outside of the 1890 Dr. Patrick Cassidy House at 98 Washington St. late Saturday morning, some taking photos. But when the clock struck noon, the city of Norwich was the lone bidder in the tax foreclosure auction for the home of one of the city’s most prominent late 19th century figures.

The city submitted its bid of $32,513 to cover back taxes owed, interest, attorney fees and court costs.

Current owner Gloria Woerheide sat on the front steps and watched the proceedings quietly, telling onlookers she wasn’t allowing anyone in the house, since it would be her home until the foreclosure action becomes official in the coming weeks.

Woerheide said someone came by earlier in the day and offered to buy some of the original decorative pieces in the yard. She flatly refused. She’d spent the past 22 years slowly attempting to repair extensive damage and rot from years of neglect under previous ownership. She replaced the roof, which had a 6-foot hole, and said she removed 20 tons of plaster and laths.

But she struggled financially and eventually fell behind on taxes and mortgage payments.

“I would certainly love, in my wildest dreams, to have this restored to its original grandeur,” Alderwoman Stacy Gould, who attended the auction, said Saturday. “Maybe there’s somebody out there.”

Gould is a member of the city Board of Review of Dangerous Buildings, which often is asked to handle the requests for proposals for properties the city takes for back taxes. Gould said her first step will be to reach out to the state Historic Preservation Office to get the rundown on historic buildings tax credit programs. She also will contact the private group Preservation Connecticut, along with local historic preservation groups, to assist with marketing the house.

Deanna Rhodes, director of planning and neighborhood services, said once the ownership is transferred, she will contact the city Public Works Department and discuss with various city agencies recommendations for how to market the property, whether it be assigned to the city’s real estate firm that handles sales of foreclosed properties or put out as a request for proposals, which would give the city more control over prospective buyers’ plans for the property.

Cassidy was a prominent Norwich physician and civic leader in the late 19th century, and equipped his new house with high-tech modern features, including his examination office, an indoor lavatory and wash basin, an intercom system inside the walls, elegant woodwork and ornate fireplaces. Most original features remain intact, and Cassidy’s name remains visible above the front door.

“Obviously, with the historic value of this property, it is important to the city,” Rhodes said.