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Mormon House |
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Mormon House |
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| In 1827, the Mormon House was the home
of Zachariah Tarbell. It was later the farm of Levi Johnston from whom
it was purchased by the Afton Driving Park and Agricultural Association
in 1889. The first fair was held that year and they have continued annually
since that date.
Much of the interior was altered when the building was first used by the fair. Partitions were removed and parts were used as a dining hall for the fair-goers. In the 1930's, school papers and art work were displayed in the house. By the 1940's, the house was in such a bad state of repair that it was decided to sell the house to the highest bidder. Previously, a committee had been formed to try to preserve the building, perhaps as a museum, but no funds were raised to save the building. Five bids ranging from $35 to $105 were received to buy the house. The Church of Latter Day Saints did not respond to letters about preservation or to purchase the building. The highest bidder was Cecil Tiffany of Binghamton, but he did not come up with the money. The house was finally dismantled by Clifford Foster of Masonville. He has incorporated some the materials into his own house. One of the mantelpieces is now in the living room of Charles J. Decker, the Afton Town Historian. Another is on display in the kitchen setting section in the barn of the Afton Museum. The mantelpiece and plate is shown below. Both items are located at the Afton Museum. (Complied by Charles J. Decker, Afton Town and Village Historian) 
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