Asher Morton Farmstead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Asher Morton Farmstead
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Roadside view of the farm at dusk
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | Edgar County, Illinois, USA |
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| Nearest city | Paris |
| Area | 6 acres (2.4 ha) |
| Built | 1860 |
| Architect | Asher Morton |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, I-House |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000096 |
| Added to NRHP | February 29, 1996 |
The Asher Morton Farmstead is a historic farm located near Paris, in Edgar County, Illinois. It was built around 1860 and shows off some cool architectural styles from that time. This farm is special because it gives us a peek into how people lived and built homes in the Midwest long ago.
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What is the Asher Morton Farmstead?
The Asher Morton Farmstead is a farm that includes a main farmhouse, a summer kitchen, and a barn. It's located about 4.5 miles south of Paris, Illinois. The farm was built by a man named Asher Morton.
Who was Asher Morton?
Asher Morton was a person from Ohio who moved to the Illinois area in 1850. He decided to build this farmstead around 1860. He designed and built the main house and other buildings himself.
What is an I-House?
The main farmhouse at the Asher Morton Farmstead is an example of an I-house. This is a type of house design that was very popular in the Midwestern states during the 19th century. People called them "I-houses" because they were common in states like Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa – all starting with "I"!
I-houses usually have two rooms on each floor. They also have a central hallway with a staircase. This design was very practical for families living on farms.
What makes this I-House special?
The Asher Morton farmhouse is a "Classic" style I-house. It has the typical two rooms on each floor and a central hall. However, it's a bit unique because it has three front bays. A bay is a section of a building that sticks out from the main wall. Most classic I-houses had five bays, so this one is a little different.
The outside of the house also shows influences from two popular building styles:
- Greek Revival: This style was inspired by ancient Greek temples. It often features tall columns, simple shapes, and a grand look.
- Gothic Revival: This style looked back to medieval European churches and castles. It often includes pointed arches, steep roofs, and decorative details.
The Asher Morton farmhouse combines elements from both of these styles, making it a unique and interesting building to study.
What other buildings are there?
Besides the main farmhouse, the farmstead also includes other important buildings. There's a summer kitchen, which was a separate building where cooking was done in hot weather to keep the main house cool. There's also a barn, which is a key building for any farm. Asher Morton built these structures too.
Why is it a historic place?
The Asher Morton Farmstead is considered an important historical site. Because of its unique architecture and its connection to the history of farming in Illinois, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 29, 1996. This means it's officially recognized as a place worth preserving for future generations.
