Benjamin Thompson House–Count Rumford Birthplace facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Count Rumford Birthplace
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Benjamin Thompson House, Woburn, Massachusetts
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 90 Elm St., Woburn, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1714 |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001942 |
| Designated NHL | May 15, 1975 |
The Count Rumford Birthplace is a special old house in Woburn, Massachusetts. It is also known as the Benjamin Thompson House. This house is important because it's where a famous scientist and inventor, Benjamin Thompson, was born in 1753.
Benjamin Thompson later became known as Count Rumford. He was given this title in the Holy Roman Empire. He also became Sir Benjamin Thompson in the United Kingdom. His birthplace is now a historic house museum. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1975. This honor recognized his amazing scientific work. One of his most famous inventions was the Rumford fireplace. This fireplace design was much better at keeping homes warm than older ones.
Contents
The Count Rumford Birthplace: A Home of Invention
The Rumford House is a two-and-a-half-story building. It is made of wood and has a special gambrel roof. The house was built in 1714. It has a large chimney in the middle. The outside is covered with wooden boards called clapboards. Inside, you can still see many original parts and wooden details.
Who Was Benjamin Thompson?
Benjamin Thompson Jr. was born in this house on March 26, 1753. His parents lived there after they got married. Sadly, Benjamin's father died when he was very young. Benjamin lived with his mother and grandfather. Later, his mother remarried, and he moved to his stepfather's house.
Early Life and Big Ideas
Benjamin Thompson was a very smart and curious person. During the American Revolution, he supported the British side. He left the country in 1775. After the war, he moved to England. He later spent time in the Holy Roman Empire. This is where he earned the title of Count Rumford.
A Scientist's Journey and Discoveries
Count Rumford did important research on heating systems. He found ways to make homes warmer and use less fuel. His most famous invention was the Rumford fireplace. This fireplace was shallow and sent more heat into a room. This made it much more efficient than older, larger fireplaces.
While living in Munich, he also helped improve the city. He worked on systems to help people in need. He also designed the famous English Garden. Benjamin Thompson loved to tinker and invent. He even created new versions of everyday tools. In 1799, he suggested starting a research group in the United Kingdom. This led to the creation of the Royal Institution.
Count Rumford never returned to the United States. However, he supported education and science there. He gave money to Harvard College for a special professor's job. He also started the Rumford Prize. This award is given every year by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Benjamin Thompson passed away in Paris in 1814.
Visiting the Historic House Museum
Today, the Rumford Historical Association owns Benjamin Thompson's birthplace. This group was started in 1877. Their goal is to keep the house as a historic site. Inside the museum, you can see models of Count Rumford's experiments. You can also see some of his inventions.
There is a copy of a portrait of Count Rumford by the famous artist Thomas Gainsborough. The house also has a library. It contains books and essays about Count Rumford's life. The museum is open on Sunday afternoons from June through October. You can also visit by making an appointment. Admission is free for everyone.
See also
- Loammi Baldwin, a childhood friend of Benjamin Thompson
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Middlesex County, Massachusetts
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Massachusetts
