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Williamstown, MA - 1753 House (reconstruction)
The 1753 House in 2008

The 1753 House is a special building in Williamstown, Massachusetts. It's a copy of a typical home that settlers built way back in 1753. This house shows us what life was like for people living in the The Berkshires region a long time ago.

Volunteers built the 1753 House in 1953 to celebrate Williamstown's 200th birthday. It's located in Field Park, right in the middle of a roundabout where two main roads meet. Early settlers in this area, like those in Williamstown and North Adams, had to follow strict rules. To own their land, they had to build a house that was at least 15 by 18 feet and 7 feet tall. They also had to clear 5 acres of land.

History of Williamstown

Williamstown started as a place called West Hoosac in 1750. It's a small town in the northwest part of Massachusetts. The government of the Massachusetts Bay Colony wanted people to settle here. They sold land plots for important reasons, like growing the economy and for military protection.

West Hoosac was very important for defense. It was a key path to other towns like Greenfield and Deerfield to the east. It also connected to towns like Great Barrington to the south.

Land Sales and Early Settlers

In 1751, 60 pieces of land were put up for sale. Each plot cost six pounds, thirteen shillings, and fourpence. That was a lot of money back then! But buying the land wasn't enough to fully own it.

To get the full ownership, buyers had to clear 5 acres of land. They also had to build a house that was at least 15 feet wide, 18 feet long, and 7 feet high. These rules made the houses known as "regulation houses." Many soldiers from a nearby place called Fort Massachusetts bought land here. One famous buyer was Captain Ephraim Williams, Jr., who later helped start Williams College.

The house being built in 1953
Inside the house

Building the 1753 House

The 1753 House was built using only materials and tools from that time period. The builders used methods that settlers would have used in 1753. It was first built in Field Park, but it was moved to its current spot in 1996.

In 2010, the house had to close because its chimney was damaged. But it reopened in November 2012. There was a special ceremony where a fire was lit in the new chimney. The 1753 House was only meant to be a temporary display. However, it became very popular and is now a lasting landmark in Williamstown.

What the House Looks Like

The 1753 House was built to the exact "regulation" size. This means it's quite small compared to homes today! Its walls and frame are made from strong oak timbers. These timbers were cut from nearby White Oak woods. The builders used a special way to join the wood pieces called mortise and tenon joints.

The roof is covered with split shingles. Inside, you'll find a few copies of old items. There's a table, a bench, and tools for cooking in the fireplace. There's also a sleeping area called a loft. It's about 7 feet above the dirt floor and covered with pine branches. This loft was a warm place to sleep because it was close to the large stone chimney, which is the main feature of the house.

How the House is Used Today

The 1753 House is a favorite spot for both local people and visitors. While it's not open every day like it used to be, it hosts many special events. School groups often visit to learn about history.

The house offers a fun way for students to see how early settlers lived in their own town. It helps them understand the past. You can also reserve the house for your own events. For example, Boy Scouts have camped out there, and a high school student once showed how to cook using a fireplace.

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