Barrett House (New Ipswich, New Hampshire) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Barrett House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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A front view of Barrett House
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | New Ipswich, New Hampshire |
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| Built | c. 1800 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Part of | New Ipswich Center Village Historic District (ID91001173) |
| Designated CP | September 3, 1991 |
The Barrett House, also called Forest Hall, is a beautiful old mansion built around 1800. It's located in New Ipswich, New Hampshire. This house is a great example of the Federal style, which was popular in America a long time ago. Today, the Barrett House is a museum run by Historic New England. You can visit it on certain days of the year to learn about its history.
Contents
The Story of Forest Hall
How the House Was Built
People say that Forest Hall was built as a special wedding gift. It was for Charles Barrett and his new wife. Charles's father was a rich farmer in town. He had invested his money in many things. These included a glass factory and a toll road. He also invested in a canal system. His most successful investment was in New Hampshire's first cotton mill.
Inside the Mansion
The inside of Forest Hall was designed to be very fancy. It had many rooms for parties and entertaining guests. This showed that the family had a very stylish way of life.
The Beautiful Gardens
Later, a grand pathway called an allée was added outside. It had stone steps going up a hill behind the house. Maple trees lined the path. At the top of the hill was a lovely summerhouse. It was a perfect place to relax.
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Changes Over Time
After a while, the railroad did not come through New Ipswich. This caused the town to become less busy. Charles Barrett's family continued to live in the house. But Forest Hall remained like a piece of history from the Federal era. After 1887, the family only used the house during the summer months. In 1948, the house was given to Historic New England. They now take care of it as a museum.
Forest Hall in Movies
The Barrett House was even used in a movie! It was one of the places where the 1979 film The Europeans was filmed. This movie was based on a book by Henry James.
More to Explore
- New Hampshire Historical Marker No. 137: Barrett House
