BRISTOL — Everyone at Linden Place has a favorite former resident of the mansion, built in 1810 by Russell Warren for General George DeWolf, a leading merchant in Bristol and slave-trader.

For docent Robin Tremblay it’s Theodora DeWolf Colt, who fancied herself a poet, admired Queen Elizabeth, bullied her daughters-in-law and was one of three women who saved the house from falling into the wrong hands.

“She was pretty well-educated and a domineering lady,” Ms. Tremblay said.

Tour director Joan Roth spoke glowingly of politician and industrialist Samuel P. Colt (1852-1921), who received the honorary rank of colonel in 1875.

“My all-time favorite is the colonel because I think he really loved this town,” said Ms. Roth as a dining room portrait of Samuel looked down upon her, as if measuring her words. “He was chief marshal of the Fourth of July Parade at least five times. He gave us the Colt School and he gave the town its first ambulance and developed the factories.”

They talk of the home’s former inhabitants as if they were members of their own families; in fact, many people assume they are. Ms. Roth said visitors often tell her “you must be a DeWolf” because she speaks so lovingly of the family.

Mary Millard’s favorite is Elizabeth Colt Stansfield. “She’s the one who ultimately got this house,” said Ms. Millard, a member of the museum’s steering committee. “Her story is so tragic. Her father died of alcoholism when she was about 19; she wasn’t even raised by her father for most of her growing up years. She was a real character and said what was on her mind — she married four times.”

Fortunately, Elizabeth listened to her cousin, Ethel Barrymore Colt (Miglietta), whose dream was that the home go to a preservation group. Elizabeth, the last owner, decided to sell the property and in 1988 voters approved $1.5 million so that the nonprofit Friends of Linden Place could purchase the home.

The mansion has been open to the public ever since, hosting weddings, parties, concerts and other special events. But you haven’t seen anything yet, as organizers are planning a busy 2010 to commemorate the historic home’s bicentennial.

“We’ve tried to plan a special event every month and then we also have a speaker series, a concert series and a Barrymore film festival,” said Ms. Roth, noting that the famed actress Ethel Barrymore married one of the colonel’s sons.

Organizers want to get the word out now because they’re trying to local people for the two reunions planned. In August 2010 there will be a gathering for alumni of Colt Memorial High School — “up to and including 1966, which was the last year the graduations came from there,” said Ms. Roth. A DeWolf/Colt family reunion will be held in July. (No word yet on whether actress Drew Barrymore — Ethel’s grand-niece — will be invited.)

There are far too many events to list in their entirety here, but here’s a sampling of what’s on tap.

The bicentennial celebration starts a little early, with opening night and a house tour on Dec. 10. In January there will be a “Tea and Treasures” antique road show event and the museum celebrates Black History Month with music, a lecture by Keith Stokes and an art exhibit by Elizabeth Sturges.

Ms. Sturges grew up in Bristol and was one of nine relatives invited by DeWolf descendant Katrina Browne as she retraced the family’s “Triangle Trade” — Bristol, Ghana and Cuba — in her 2008 film, “Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North.” (See related story.) Now a New York City high school teacher, her exhibit will feature Civil War-era gowns imprinted with images of slaves. Educators will also be invited to workshops focusing on teaching about slavery in the classroom, according to Susan Battle, site administrator for Linden Place.

The three ‘belles’

March is set aside for Women’s Month, which starts with part one of the Barrymore film festival as well as a presentation of “Saved by the Belles,” by local actress Barbara Blossom. “We like to say that this house through its history was saved or influenced by three women,” said Ms. Roth, explaining the title.

The first was Sarah Rogers DeWolf, wife of William Henry (son of Capt. James DeWolf), whom like George DeWolf before him soon went bankrupt. Fortunately Willliam put the mansion in his wife’s name and she mortgaged it to pay off his debts. “By turning that little conservatory into a barber shop and collecting rent, and then after his death turning the house into a boarding house, she saved the house,” said Ms. Roth. Sara died in 1865.

The next “belle” was the previously mentioned Theodora, who restored the home after her son, Edward Colt, bought it at auction. At the time, Bristol residents questioned why a member of a family that manufactured firearms would be interested in the home.

“But then it came to light that she was a DeWolf daughter,” said Ms. Battle. “I can only imagine the splash that must have made.”

Theodora invested a great deal of money in the home and even planted the Linden trees out front, giving the mansion its name. She also entertained two of four presidents who visited the house, Ulysses S. Grant and Chester A. Arthur. Theodora died in 1901.

Finally, there’s Ethel Barrymore’s daughter, Ethel Colt Miglietta, who kept the house alive after the colonel’s death 1921. Ethel, who ran a music school at Linden Place and counted Ms. Roth as among her voice students, died in 1977.

Organizers also are planning a June gala, Linden Place’s first in four years; its annual Fourth of July picnic (they hope to showcase James DeWolf’s 1820 carriage in the parade); presentations of Shakespeare by the Bristol Theatre Company; volunteer reunion in April, a flower show, Halloween party, numerous concerts and free open houses.

‘Dramatic moments’

Organizers hope the bicentennial will not only serve as a celebration of Linden Place, but will also attract many new visitors who would appreciate the rich and often turbulent history of the DeWolf/Colt families.

“I like the fact that this particular historic house has its share of dramatic moments,” said Ms. Battle. There were many points in history when the house could have gone into someone else’s hands and “we wouldn’t be here today,” she said.

Ms. Roth agreed, adding that few other historic homes involve so many family members.

“This story covers seven generations and when you look at all they did for the town above and beyond slavery — with the jobs they provided, bringing four presidents to the house, it also being a boarding house — the whole package is just so incredible,” she said.

Linden Place, located at 500 Hope St., Bristol, is seeking volunteers for its bicentennial events. If you’re interested, call 253-0390. For more information, visit www.lindenplace.org.

Read more about Linden Place's ties to the slave trade in the Sept. 16-18, 2009 issue of your local edition of East Bay Newspapers.