Bush–Holley House facts for kids
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Bush–Holley House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The Bush–Holley House
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 39 Strickland Rd., Greenwich, Connecticut |
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| Built | 1732 |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| Part of | Strickland Road Historic District (ID77001625) |
| NRHP reference No. | 88002694 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 1, 1988 |
| Designated NHL | July 17, 1991 |
| Designated CP | March 22, 1990 |
The Bush–Holley House is a very old and special house in Greenwich, Connecticut. It was built around 1730. Today, it is a historic house museum where you can learn about its past.
This house became famous in the late 1800s. It was a boarding house and the heart of the Cos Cob Art Colony. This was Connecticut's first art colony. From 1890 to 1920, many artists, writers, and editors gathered here. Young art students also came to learn from famous American artists. Some of these artists included John Henry Twachtman, J. Alden Weir, Theodore Robinson, and Childe Hassam.
The Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich now runs the house. You can visit it and take tours to see what life was like long ago.
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Exploring the Bush–Holley House History
The Bush–Holley House has a rich history. It tells the story of two main families, the Bushes and the Holleys. Each family added their own touch to the house over many years.
The Bush Family's Early Years
The Bush–Holley House was built in different parts. It started around 1728–1730. The first part was a small, two-story building. It sat on a hill with a great view of the harbor. A few years later, the main "salt box" style house was finished.
In 1738, a farmer named Justus Bush bought the house. His son, David Bush, later inherited it in 1755. David made many changes to the house until 1777. He joined the two buildings together to create an entrance hall. He also added fancy wood panels to the main rooms. A small building was also connected to make a "back kitchen."
David Bush had a large family. He had five children from his first marriage. When he married Sarah Scudder Isaacs in 1777, she brought five more children. They then had five more children together! David Bush passed away in 1797. His son, Justus Luke Bush, then took over the home.
The Holley Family and the Art Colony
The Bush family sold the house in 1848. It was bought by Josephine and Edward Holley. The Holleys made some updates, like adding new windows. They also built a second-story porch.
In 1882, the Holleys started using the house as a place for artists and writers to stay. This was the beginning of the famous art colony. In the summer of 1896, a young artist named Elmer Livingston MacRae came to Cos Cob. He was there to take an outdoor painting class. While staying at the house, he met Emma Constant Holley, the daughter of Josephine and Edward.
Elmer and Emma fell in love. Elmer moved into the house in 1899. They got married on October 17, 1900. Four years later, on October 31, 1904, Emma gave birth to twin girls named Constant and Clarissa.
Elmer MacRae took over from John Henry Twachtman as the leader of the Cos Cob Art Colony. For twenty years, Elmer and Emma continued to run the boardinghouse. It was also a studio where Elmer created and showed his artwork.
Visiting the Bush–Holley Historic Site
The Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich bought the house in 1957. They bought it from Constant Holley MacRae, Emma's widowed daughter. The house first opened as a museum in 1958.
The main house was recognized as a special historical place in 1988. It was then named a National Historic Landmark in 1991. This means it is very important to the history of the United States.
When you visit, you can take guided tours of the Bush–Holley House. You will see rooms set up as they were when the Bush and Holley families lived there. The house also has a collection of American Impressionist art.
The William Hegarty Gallery is part of the site. It shows special exhibits about art and history. These exhibits often focus on the artists of the Cos Cob art colony. They also show items from the museum's collections and tell stories about Greenwich history.
See also
