Your family will be close to everything when you stay at this centrally-located historic colonial home in the "best small town in America." Walk to the shops, go to the CT River Museum, eat delicious meals (walking to local restaurants or cook in the amazing kitchen), and enjoy the view of Middle Cove. Enjoy the marinas, listen to live music in the park next door, take one of the four kayaks on the river, go on bike rides with the bikes on the premises, or sit on the peaceful porch and relax. Welcome to the Gamaliel Conklin house, one of Essex's truly admired historic homes. This home has been lovingly restored, renovated, and updated with meticulous attention to period detail and design yet perfectly matched for today's modern life. It's a stunning village 'gem' with peaceful views of Middle Cove. Surround yourself with this gracious and elegant home's warmth, charm, and character. This stately home has every modern amenity, exquisite grounds, perennial gardens, and sweeping lawns. The dream kitchen is a chef's delight and includes state-of-the-art appliances: Wolf, Sub-Zero, Asko, Bosch, dual dishwashers, and double wall ovens. You'll find marble countertops, a grand island, wide board floors, a sun-filled sitting room, and a cozy yet large living room that opens to a music room with a piano and other instruments ready to be played. This home can be customized for the guests, and a nursery set-up is available if helpful. There are also four kayaks and several bikes ready for use, lawn games, beach chairs, an outdoor trampoline, a fire pit, and everything else you need to make this the vacation of a lifetime.