Captain Lemuel Clap House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Captain Lemuel Clap House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Captain Lemuel Clap House
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 Location in Massachusetts
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| Location | Boston, MA |
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| Built | 1765 |
| Architectural style | Colonial, Federal |
| Part of | Clapp Houses (ID74000911) |
| Added to NRHP | May 2, 1974 |
The Captain Lemuel Clap House is a very old and special house located in Dorchester, Massachusetts. It was built in 1767. Today, it is owned by the Dorchester Historical Society. This society helps keep history alive. They open the house for visitors a couple of times each month. It is one of two historic houses owned by the society that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important places in American history.
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About the Captain Lemuel Clap House
The Captain Lemuel Clap House is a great example of old American homes. It shows how people lived many years ago. The house is located at 199 Boston Street. It stands as a reminder of Dorchester's past.
A Look Inside
When you visit the Captain Lemuel Clap House, you can see many interesting things. The rooms are filled with items from the Dorchester Historical Society's collection. These items help tell the story of the area. They show what life was like for families long ago.
The House's Long History
The land where the house stands has a very long history. It seems a house might have been there since about 1633. This was when Dorchester was first settled.
Who Built It?
Some records suggest that Roger Clapp built the first house around 1633. He was one of the first settlers in Dorchester. Later, his descendant, Lemuel Clap, rebuilt and made the house bigger in 1767. However, the Historical Society also has clues that another family, the Ward family, built an earlier house in the early 1700s. Even with these different ideas, most people agree that Lemuel Clap built the main part of today's house in 1767.
Moving Day!
The Dorchester Historical Society bought the house in 1945. But it wasn't always in the same spot! In 1957, the house was carefully moved. It traveled several hundred yards from Willow Court to its current location. Moving such a big, old house was a huge project!
Visiting the House
If you want to see this historic house, you can! The Dorchester Historical Society opens its houses on the second Sunday of every month. You can visit between 11 am and 4 pm. It's a great way to step back in time.
