Captain William Vicary House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Capt. William Vicary House
|
|
Front of the Vicary House from Route 65
|
|
 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 1235 3rd Ave., Freedom, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1826 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001749 |
| Added to NRHP | November 8, 1974 |
The Captain William Vicary House is a very old and important house in Freedom, Pennsylvania. It's located in Beaver County, right along the main street of Freedom. The house stands proudly above the beautiful Ohio River. This historic mansion has a rich past and is a great example of early American architecture.
Contents
Meet Captain William Vicary
Captain William Vicary was a brave officer in the United States Navy. He served during the War of 1812, a big conflict between the United States and Great Britain. For his service, the government gave him a large piece of land. This land was about 500 acres in what was then called the Northwest Territory.
Building a New Home
After the war, Captain Vicary settled in Sewickley. There, he met people from the Harmony Society. This group had recently built a community called Old Economy Village near the Ohio River. Inspired by the area, Vicary bought even more land, about 604 acres, close to Economy.
In 1826, Captain Vicary started planning a new community. He called it "St. Clair." He also began building a grand stone mansion for himself. Local builders helped him, using sandstone from nearby mines. The house was finished in 1829 and cost over $4,000, which was a lot of money back then!
A House with a Story
The Vicary family lived in the house for many years. Captain Vicary's descendants stayed there until 1912. The house was finally sold in 1924. After that, it had several different owners.
In the 1960s, there was a plan to build Route 65. This new road would have meant tearing down the historic house. But local people started a big effort to save it! Their hard work paid off, and the house was saved.
Today, the Vicary House is owned by Beaver County. It is home to the Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation. This group helps protect and share the history of the area.
Architectural Beauty and History
In 1974, the Captain William Vicary House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history. The house was recognized for its amazing architecture and how well it has been preserved.
Unique Features of the House
The house has several special features. Its outside stonework is very impressive. The large stone blocks were likely placed by very skilled builders. This kind of high-quality stonework was rare in Western Pennsylvania in the early 1800s. The house also has two large chimneys.
Over the years, some changes were made to the house. For example, a big fireplace was removed, and the house was divided into apartments for a while. However, much of its original charm remains. A porch was added in the 1900s, and a beautiful cast-iron fence surrounds the property.
Today, the Vicary House is open to visitors as a historic house museum. This means you can visit and learn about what life was like when Captain Vicary lived there. It's a great way to step back in time and explore local history!
