The Colgate Toothpaste Family’s Gilded Age Mansion Gets Price Cut to $7 Million
Built in 1903 for businessman and investor Romulus Colgate, grandson of Colgate-Palmolive founder William Colgate, “Filston” is a remarkably preserved Gilded Age country estate now seeking a new owner for $7 million. It was first listed for $7.5 million in August of 2025.
Conceived by architect William Cromwell Jr. and once the heart of a 300-acre family property, the home was originally designed as a sanctuary for Romulus and his wife, Sharon, to raise their family.
More than a century later, its architecture and grounds remain a time capsule of turn-of-the-century craftsmanship, thoughtfully updated for modern comfort.
Property Highlights
Price: $7 million
Location: Litchfield County, Connecticut
Size: 12,057 sq ft on 106 acres across three parcels
Bedrooms: 9
Bathrooms: 8
Year Built: 1903
Notable Features: Neoclassical design with Italianate, Palladian, Neo-Gothic, and French Empire influences, rolling landscaped grounds with restored equestrian trails, multiple fireplaces and original millwork, commercial-grade generator, new propane furnace, updated plumbing and electrical, buried power lines, and a completely restored landscape with century-old estate trees.
First Look Inside the Estate
Stepping inside, the home reads like a curated archive of early-1900s craftsmanship, seen in the posts from Francis York and For The Love of Old Houses.
Tall, well-proportioned formal rooms, original millwork, and period mantels hint at the Gilded Age’s influence while still retaining the intimacy of a family home.
Hardwood floors, detailed moldings, and period fireplace surrounds add a refined tone, while generous ceiling heights amplify light and views across the landscaped grounds.
Private quarters balance the formality with a collection of bedrooms and sitting rooms arranged to provide separation and quiet, complemented by a practical distribution of full and powder baths for guests.
Service spaces are also thoughtfully modernized, supporting the main kitchen and dining room flow without disrupting the historic bones.
Grounds & Setting
Now 106 acres of rolling lawns, woodlands, and estate trees, the property was designed by landscape designer Edward Hamilton Bell to be a countryside retreat.
Restored equestrian trails stitch the parcels together, while the carriage house adds flexibility for guests, collection space, or creative studios, adding to the estate’s blend of utility and romance.
Deeper Dive Into Our Favorite Spots
This historic and almost haunting estate has several standout spaces that capture its timeless character. Each room hints at the era in which it was built, from the craftsmanship in its architectural details to the luxury of its layout, yet thoughtful updates have kept it livable and modern.
Dining Room
The dining room is one of the first spaces that truly captures the essence of this estate. Arched molding frames the entryway, leading into a room that feels refined and inviting.
A long dining table surrounded by high-back cushioned chairs sits in the center of the space, while a large mirror reflects the intricate architectural details that speak to the home’s historic craftsmanship.
The Study
The study has that same sense of grandeur, though its simplicity makes it feel intimate and understated.
A small wooden desk and chair sit before tall windows that filter in just enough light to soften the room’s darker tones, creating a quietly dramatic atmosphere.
Library
Lastly, the library feels like the perfect blend of the dining room’s elegance and the study’s intimacy.
Bookshelves line the entryway, guiding you into a fireplace lounge that invites long conversations or quiet moments spent reading.
Video Tour
For a final look inside this historic estate, the former owner gives you a guided tour from the time that she owned the home, which is still quite similar to how it looks today.
The collection offers a closer glimpse at the finer architectural details and craftsmanship that make the property so unique, allowing viewers to appreciate the home’s history.
Final Thoughts
Filston isn’t just a grand estate with a distinguished name it’s a living piece of history, carefully preserved to balance its early 1900s heritage with modern comfort.
Thoughtful updates throughout allow the home to function effortlessly for today’s lifestyle while maintaining the architectural integrity that makes it special.
For the next owner, this former Colgate family estate offers a unique blend of provenance, scale, and peace, an enduring example of Litchfield County elegance at its finest.
