Capt. Elisha Phelps House facts for kids
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Capt. Elisha Phelps House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The historic Capt. Elisha Phelps Tavern House and Museum
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 800 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1711, expanded 1771 |
| Architect | Lt. David Phelps |
| Part of | Simsbury Center Historic District (ID96000356) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001345 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 22, 1972 |
| Designated CP | April 12, 1996 |
The Captain Elisha Phelps House is a special historic house museum located at 800 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury, Connecticut. This old house was first built in 1711 by David Phelps. Later, his son Elisha Phelps received the land and made the house bigger in 1771.
Elisha Phelps was an important person during the American Revolution. He and his brother Noah Phelps helped capture Fort Ticonderoga in 1775. This was a key moment early in the war. Captain Phelps was also chosen by the Continental Congress to be a "commissary" for the Northern Department. This meant he was in charge of getting supplies like food and equipment for the soldiers.
After the War of 1812, the house became a hotel called the Canal Hotel. It was located right next to the New Haven and Northampton Canal, which was a busy waterway for travel and trade.
The Phelps Family Story
Elisha Phelps was born in Simsbury, Connecticut, on October 17, 1737. His family had a long history in America. His father, David, and mother, Abigail Pettibone, were descendants of early settlers. These settlers were Puritans who came to the New World in 1630 on a ship called the Mary and John. They first settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and then in Windsor, Massachusetts.
Sadly, Elisha Phelps died young, at age 43, on July 14, 1776. He passed away in Albany, New York, from illnesses he caught while caring for soldiers. After his death, his brother Noah Phelps took over the house. The house stayed in the Phelps family until 1962.
Visiting the Phelps Tavern Museum
Today, the historic house is known as The Phelps Tavern Museum. It's a place where you can learn about what life was like long ago. The museum shows how the house was used as an inn, or a type of hotel, from 1786 to 1849.
You can explore rooms set up to look like they did in the past. There are also interactive exhibits and galleries. These displays tell the story of three generations of the Phelps family who ran the tavern. You can also learn about the social life of taverns in New England during that time. Taverns like this one hosted many events, from important meetings to big parties. People traveled by horse, stagecoach, and even by canal to visit.
The Phelps Tavern Museum is part of a larger area that is about 2-acre (8,100 m2). This area also includes a museum store where you can find souvenirs. There are also research archives for people who want to study history. You can also enjoy the beautiful period gardens around the house. The Simsbury Historical Society owns and operates this interesting museum.
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