Lounsbery Building – 1906

38 Village Green
Of Greek Revival style, the store adjoining the Post Office was built by Richard P. Lounsbery to replace a nearby one that had been burned down. Harry W. Smith operated a store here until 1912 when H. G. Arnold and M.E. Stead moved their business here from the old General Store building. The building entrance three steps up from ground level allowed for a deep basement for cold storage needed by store owners. It is the only building on this side of the street with that feature. From approximately 1925 to 1972, it was the Village A&P. While the Atlantic & Pacific grocery store chain identified itself by having red storefronts, this was the only A&P with a white storefront. The owner, Edith Colgate, one of the founders of the Bedford Historical Society, made that a condition of the lease.

E. B. White used to come to Bedford for the summer to write. It is rumored that this store is the inspiration for the store in his book, Stuart Little.

Noted photographer, Walker Evans, was fascinated by American vern-acular architecture and photographed this building between WWI and WWII. The photograph is said to be one of the best examples of Walker’s work at that time.

In 1972, the Bedford Historical Society purchased the building from Mrs. Colgate’s heirs and it has been leased as an antiques shop and is currently leased to the Horse Connection.