The little house on the corner of Maple and School St. (37 School Street) Sterling has an interesting historical story. Built about 175 years ago, the little shop tells a tale of times in the past when our ancestors laid the framework for the lifestyle we lead today. The shop has been occupied and useful from those early times until today. Isn’t that a testament to the vision of our historical ancestors supporting us over the generations.

The house has three stories, with a bottom floor with one room, the second floor with two rooms, and the third floor having one room, which still features a wooden sink. Over the years the floor layout has been changed to adapt to changing owners and usages. The stone foundation has slightly shifted but is able to be repaired. The back wall is bowed out but almost seems to have been built that way. The Hoffman family, who lived there in the 1970’s fondly remember the wall being bowed out at that time. That was over 40 years ago and the framework of the house remains sound.
The house has supported many pre industrial businesses. The house passed into the hands of a tinsmith, Henry Sawyer. Henry was a tin maker and stove dealer. Ebenezer Butterick the inventor of the tissue sewing pattern, used the house as a sewing shop. At one time the shop was owned by a gun maker, Frank Copeland. He created many guns, examples can still be seen today at the Sterling Historical Society. Copeland as an inventor built his own organ, a viola, and even a lawnmower . The little house continued to support many Sterling residents over the years as their home. It is now an unpolished gem in the downtown Sterling Historic District.

Recently the gun shop was bought by a private resident. This is an important moment for historical preservation. The shop was on the verge of being condemned. It was an eyesore to the town of Sterling. Someone buying an historical building is one way of preserving our history. It preserves the local cultural atmosphere that everyone in Sterling enjoys. Historical preservation in Sterling is a local event that tells our American history. As the gun shop has served us over the years in many ways, it will continue to serve the community in the future.

Cathy Harragian
Sterling Historical Commission