Gilman Garrison House, Exeter

Built as a fortified house, strategically sited to protect the valuable sawmills and waterpower sites owned by John Gilman. The interior of this unusual building reveals walls constructed of massive sawn logs and a pulley above the main entrance that was used to operate a portcullis, or reinforced door. In the mid 18th century, Peter Gilman substantially remodeled the house, adding a wing with elegantly paneled rooms.