Boce W. Barlow Jr. House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Boce W. Barlow Jr. House
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 31 Canterbury St., Hartford, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000767 |
| Added to NRHP | July 31, 1994 |
The Boce W. Barlow Jr. House is a historic home in Hartford, Connecticut. It was built in 1926. From 1958, it was the home of Boce W. Barlow Jr. (1915–2005). He was the first African-American person to be elected to the Connecticut State Senate. Mr. Barlow was also a very important leader in Hartford's government. This house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 because of its connection to him.
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About the Boce W. Barlow Jr. House
The Boce W. Barlow Jr. House is in the northern part of Hartford. This area is called the Blue Hills neighborhood. The house is on Canterbury Street. Many homes on this street look similar. They were all built around the 1920s.
What the House Looks Like
The house has two stories and is made of wood. It has a roof that slopes down on the sides. The outside walls are covered with wooden siding. There are two brick chimneys. One is on the left side of the house. The other is inside, behind the roof. The front of the house has three sections. The two outer sections have pairs of windows. The main front door is in the middle. It has a small roof over it, held up by brackets. Above the front door, there is a smaller pair of windows.
Boce W. Barlow Jr.'s Life Story
The Boce W. Barlow Jr. House was built in 1926. Boce Barlow Jr. bought it in 1958. He was born in Georgia. When he was one year old, he moved to Hartford with his parents. He went to Hartford High School. In 1939, he graduated from Howard University. He was even the president of his class!
Serving His Country and Community
After college, Boce Barlow Jr. served in World War II. He was in a unit where people of different races were kept separate. After the war, he went to Harvard Law School. He was one of only four African-American students in his class.
Like his father, he was very active in the Democratic Party. In 1966, he was elected to the state senate. He served two terms, which means he was a senator for four years.
Making a Difference
When Boce Barlow Jr. moved into this house in 1958, his family was the first African-American family on the block. They faced unfair treatment and difficulties because of their race. But Mr. Barlow kept working hard. He served in many important jobs for the state. In these roles, he worked to make sure everyone had equal rights. In 1987, the city of Hartford named a street after him to honor his work.
