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Captain David Judson House facts for kids

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Capt. David Judson House
StratfordCT JudsonHouse.jpg
Captain David Judson House is located in Connecticut
Captain David Judson House
Location in Connecticut
Captain David Judson House is located in the United States
Captain David Judson House
Location in the United States
Location 967 Academy Hill, Stratford, Connecticut
Built 1723
Architectural style Georgian
NRHP reference No. 73001946
Added to NRHP March 20, 1973

The Captain David Judson House is a very old and important house located in Stratford, Connecticut. It was built way back in 1723 by David Judson. What's really cool is that this house sits on the same spot where an even older house stood. That first house was built by David's great-grandfather, William Judson, in 1638. This means the land has been home to the Judson family for a very long time. Nine generations of the Judson family lived in this house until 1888.

History of the Judson House

Early Beginnings

The first house on this spot was built in 1638 by William Judson. He later moved to New Haven in 1660. William left the house to his son, Joseph Judson. The new house, built in 1723, used the stone foundation and chimney from this original building.

A New Look in 1723

When David Judson built the new house in 1723, he designed it in the Georgian architecture style. This style was very popular in the American colonies during that time. It's known for its balanced and grand appearance.

A Special Place in History

The Captain David Judson House was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 20, 1973. This means it's recognized as a very important historical site. It's also part of the Stratford Center Historic District, which was listed in 1978.

Exploring Inside the House

The Cellar and Its Past

The first floor of the house is now the cellar. It is above ground level. This area has a huge stone chimney in the middle. It is thought that the cellar was a living area for people who worked for the Judson family in the early 1700s.

Furnishings and Art

Inside the house, you'll find furniture and items from the 1700s. These pieces are all from the Stratford area. One very special item is a piano that belonged to William Samuel Johnson. He was one of the people who helped create the United States Constitution. He was also the second president of Columbia University. This piano has even been shown at Mount Vernon, which was George Washington's home. The house also displays other important historical and artistic items for visitors to see.

Unique Architecture

The entrance to the Judson House is very special. It has a "broken scroll pediment" design. This is considered one of the most beautiful entrances in all of Connecticut. An architectural drawing of this entrance was even featured on the cover of a famous book. The book was called Early Domestic Architecture of Connecticut and was published in 1924 by J. Frederick Kelly.

Visiting the House Today

The Captain David Judson House is open to the public. It works as a historic house museum. This means you can visit and learn about what life was like long ago. It also has a research library. The Stratford Historical Society takes care of the house. You can find it at 967 Academy Hill in Stratford.

See also

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