Part 12/14:
By 1939, the sprawling Bradford estate was auctioned for only $55,000—an astonishing drop from its construction cost. The estate was acquired by Connecticut state authorities and repurposed during World War II as a Coast Guard training facility; most of its gardens and auxiliary buildings were demolished to make way for military uses. In subsequent decades, the estate fell into disrepair until the 1960s, when Connecticut University acquired the property.
Restored in the late 20th century, the estate now functions as an event space and community center, honoring its historical roots but embracing a new chapter.