The Orrin Benedict Mansion c. 1890 Orrin Benedict (1817-1901) was the wealthiest and most influential hatter in Bethel’s history. This elaborate Italianate style villa occupied a hillside behind today’s Sycamore Restaurant. Benedict’s hat factory was located where Burger King and the Bethel Cinema now stand. For a short time after Benedict’s death, this house served as the Pine Tree Inn and was later demolished in 1947, to make way for the restaurant and shopping center.