Ames–Florida House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ames–Florida–Stork House
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The Ames-Florida-Stork House from the northeast
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 8131 Bridge St., Rockford, Minnesota |
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| Area | 2.6 acres (1.1 ha) |
| Built | 1856 |
| Architect | George F. Ames |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 79003714 |
| Added to NRHP | October 16, 1979 |
The Ames–Florida–Stork House is a historic house that is now a museum in Rockford, Minnesota. It sits right by the Crow River. This special house was built way back in 1856.
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Discover the Ames–Florida–Stork House
This house is a great example of early American homes. It shows us how people lived and built things long ago. Today, you can visit it as a museum and learn about its interesting past.
Who Built This Historic Home?
The house was built by two men from New England: George F. Ames and his brother-in-law, Joel Florida. They traveled to Minnesota from northern Illinois by steamship. On their journey, they met Guilford George, a skilled carpenter and a millwright. A millwright is someone who designs and builds mills, like sawmills or gristmills.
These three men decided to work together. They started the community of Rockford. This new town grew up around a sawmill (for cutting wood) and a gristmill (for grinding grain). The Ames–Florida–Stork House was one of the first important buildings in this new settlement.
How Was the House Built?
The Ames–Florida–Stork House is special because of how it was built. It uses a method called timber framing. This means the house's frame is made from large, heavy wooden beams. These beams are carefully fitted together. This was common before a newer, faster way of building called balloon framing became popular.
The builders made many parts of the house right there on the property. This included the windows and doors. Even the wood panels inside the house came from fruit trees grown nearby. Some of the furniture you can see in the museum today was also made by hand using simple tools.
A Home with a Long History
George F. Ames lived in the house until 1878. He retired because of his health. He sold the house and his businesses to George Florida. George Florida lived in the house with his mother, aunt, and two of his three sisters. They stayed there until George Florida passed away in 1936.
Preserving History: The Stork Family
In 1936, Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Stork bought the house. The Storks loved history and old things. They quickly realized how important this house was to the area's past. They decided to protect the house and share its story. They wanted school children and others interested in history to learn from it.
Becoming a Museum
The Storks' dream came true. In 1986, the house was given to the city of Rockford. It became a museum for everyone to enjoy. Before that, in 1979, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important historical sites in the United States. It was first called the Ames–Florida House on this list. It was recognized for its importance in architecture, business, industry, and the founding of Rockford.
See also
