Arthur Cottage facts for kids

Arthur Cottage is a special old house located in the village of Cullybackey, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It's famous because it was the family home of Chester A. Arthur, who became the 21st President of the United States. The cottage is just a short walk from Cullybackey and about 4 miles from Ballymena. Inside, you can learn all about President Arthur's life and how he became president.

What is Arthur Cottage Like?

This historic cottage sits high up on Gourley's Hill. It was built using local stone, and its walls are super thick, about 20 inches! The roof is made of thatch, supported by strong bog oak beams. The floor inside is made of earth, and there's a cozy fireplace with cobblestones.

The cottage is a simple rectangular shape with two main rooms. One room was used as a kitchen and living area, while the other was a bedroom. There was even a second bed in a loft above the bedroom! Over time, some parts were added to the building, but these were removed to make the cottage look exactly as it did when the Arthur family lived there long ago.

The Arthur Family Story

The grandparents of President Chester A. Arthur, Alan and Eliza Arthur, lived right here at Arthur Cottage in Cullybackey. Their son, William, who was President Arthur's father, was born in this very cottage on December 5, 1797.

Between 1816 and 1820, William Arthur and other family members moved to North America. There, he met and married Malvina Stone. William became a Baptist minister. Their son, Chester A. Arthur, was born on October 5, 1829, in Fairfield, Vermont. He later became president on September 20, 1881.

In 1882, after Chester A. Arthur became president, his sister Mary and his son Chester Alan Jr. visited Arthur Cottage. They met other members of the Arthur family who were still living in the area.

Visiting Arthur Cottage

Arthur Cottage is open to visitors from May to September. It's a great place to experience what life was like over 200 years ago! They often have special days where people dress in old-fashioned clothes and show how crafts were made. You can also enjoy music and storytelling events. Sometimes, they even demonstrate how to bake traditional soda bread and pancakes, with people dressed in period costumes!

A Fire at the Cottage

On May 27, 2011, a fire unfortunately broke out at Arthur Cottage. The fire caused significant damage to the items inside the cottage.