Bingham House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Bingham House
|
|
 |
|
| Location | 13270 Silver Lake Rd., Brighton, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1841 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000635 |
| Added to NRHP | October 18, 1972 |
The Bingham House is a cool old home in Brighton, Michigan. It's located at 13270 Silver Lake Road. This house is super important because it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. This list includes places that are special because of their history or architecture.
Contents
Meet Kinsley Bingham: A Michigan Pioneer
Early Life and Moving to Michigan
Kinsley S. Bingham was born in 1808 in Onondaga County, New York. When he was young, he studied law. But he also spent time working on a farm. In 1833, Kinsley got married. He and his wife then moved to Michigan. They lived in a double log cabin with his wife's brother. Sadly, Kinsley's wife passed away while giving birth to their son. Their baby boy was sent back to New York. He was raised there by his grandparents.
Starting a Political Career
Kinsley Bingham soon began a career in politics in Michigan. He held many important jobs. He was a postmaster, which meant he ran the local post office. He also served as a justice of the peace. This role is like a local judge. He was even a captain in the local militia. In 1836, he became the first probate judge for the county. A probate judge handles things like wills and estates.
In 1837, Kinsley was elected to the Michigan State House of Representatives. This is part of the state's government. He even became the Speaker of the House. This means he was the leader of the representatives.
Building a New Home
In 1839, Kinsley married his first wife's sister. As his new family grew, they needed more space. Kinsley decided to move out of the old log cabin. He had this new house built in 1841. His family probably moved into the house the next year.
Governor and Senator
Kinsley Bingham's political career kept growing. In 1847, he was elected to the United States Congress. This meant he worked in Washington, D.C. In 1854, a new political group called the Republican Party was forming. They chose Kinsley as their first candidate for governor of Michigan. He won and served two terms as governor.
After being governor, Kinsley was elected to the United States Senate in 1859. This is an even higher political office. He passed away in 1861 at his home. He was first buried near his house. Later, his grave was moved to a public cemetery.
The Bingham House: A Classic Design
Architectural Style
The Bingham House is a great example of Greek Revival architecture. This style was popular in the 1800s. It looks like ancient Greek temples. The Bingham House is one of the oldest and best Greek Revival buildings in Michigan.
Key Features of the House
The house is a two-story building. It is made of timber, which is wood. The main part of the house is rectangular. It has single-story wings on each side. This gives it a special "basilica" style.
Look closely at the house's details. It has a lattice work tympanum. This is a fancy triangular area above the entrance. There's also a huge entablature over the doorway. An entablature is a wide band that sits on top of columns. The house also has dentilated cornices. These are decorative moldings with small, tooth-like blocks.
The windows have six panes of glass on the top and six on the bottom. The front door is special too. It has narrow windows on the sides called sidelights. Above the door, there's a window called a transom. Later, a porch was added to the back of the house. The porches on the side wings were also screened in.
