Captain Robert Bennet Forbes House facts for kids
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Capt. Robert B. Forbes House
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The front of the house in 2009
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Milton, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1833 |
| Architect | Isaiah Rogers |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000651 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 13, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | November 13, 1966 |
The Captain Robert Bennet Forbes House, also known as the Forbes House Museum, is a historic house museum in Milton, Massachusetts. It tells the story of an American family who traveled the world. The family was involved in the Old China Trade, bringing goods from China to America in the 1800s. Today, the house is a National Historic Landmark and is open for visitors to explore.
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A House for a Sea-Faring Family
The house was built in 1833 for Margaret Perkins Forbes. Her sons, Captain Robert Bennet Forbes and John Murray Forbes, built it for her. The brothers were successful sea captains and businessmen. They wanted to honor their other brother, Thomas, who was lost at sea.
The house was designed by a famous Boston architect named Isaiah Rogers. He worked with Captain Forbes to create a special home. It was built in the Greek Revival style, which was popular at the time. This style was inspired by the grand buildings of ancient Greece.
Designed Like a Ship
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Captain Forbes wanted the house to have features like a ship. It has very thick walls, about 18 inches (46 cm) thick. One of its most famous features is a winding staircase. It looks like a staircase inside a lighthouse.
The staircase goes up three floors to a small room at the top called a cupola. From this cupola, the family could look out toward Boston Harbor. They could watch for ships returning from long voyages across the ocean.
Over the years, the house was updated. In the 1880s, the roof was raised to create more space. Modern comforts like plumbing and electricity were also added. But much of the house's original character remains.
The Forbes Family Legacy
Four generations of the Forbes family lived in this house. They lived there until 1962. In 1964, a family member opened the house as a museum to share its history.
Who Lived in the House?
- Margaret Perkins Forbes (1773–1856): She was the first person to live in the house. Her sons built it especially for her.
- James Murray Forbes (1845–1937): He was Captain Forbes's son. He and his wife, Alice, moved in after his grandmother and aunts passed away. They made some of the updates to the house in the 1870s.
- Mary Bowditch Forbes (1878–1962): She was the last family member to live in the house. Mary greatly admired President Abraham Lincoln. She collected many items related to him.
The Lincoln Collection
Mary Bowditch Forbes was a huge fan of Abraham Lincoln. She collected so much memorabilia that she needed a place to store it. In 1923, she had a small cabin built on the property. It was a copy of the log cabin where Lincoln was born. This collection is one of the museum's most interesting features.
What's Inside the Museum?
The museum is filled with items that belonged to the Forbes family. Visitors can see the family's original furniture and art. There are also many treasures from their travels and trade with China. These include beautiful porcelain, silk, and tea sets.
The museum's exhibits tell the story of the Forbes family. They also teach visitors about the history of Milton, Massachusetts, and the China trade.
See also
