Colonel John Ashley House facts for kids
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Col. John Ashley House
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 117 Cooper Hill Rd., Sheffield, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 4.9 acres (2.0 ha) (original size) 35 acres (14 ha) (after boundary increase) |
| Built | 1735 |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001915 (original) 75002172 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 10, 1975 |
| Boundary increase | August 11, 1975 |
The Colonel John Ashley House is a special old house in Sheffield, Massachusetts. It's now a historic house museum, which means you can visit it to learn about history!
This house was built way back in 1735 by a very important local leader. It's one of the oldest houses in southern Berkshire County. Today, a group called The Trustees of Reservations takes care of it. The house is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized as an important historical site.
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What Does the House Look Like?
The Ashley House is in a quiet, country part of Sheffield. It sits on 35 acres of land that have always been connected to the house. The house was actually moved a little bit in 1930 to make it easier to reach from the road.
The house is made of wood and has two and a half stories. It has a roof that slopes down on two sides, and a big chimney in the middle. There's also a part that sticks out from the back, also with a chimney. The outside walls are covered with wooden boards called clapboards.
The front of the house has five windows and an impressive main door. The doorway has decorative columns and a fancy design above it. Inside, the house looks like homes from the 1700s and early 1800s. It has furniture and items from that time. You can visit the house for tours on weekends from late May through early October.
The Story of the Ashley House
Who Was John Ashley?
The house was built in 1735 by John Ashley. He moved to this area from Westfield. The wood used to build the house was cut at the very first sawmill known in Berkshire County!
John Ashley was a very important person in his community. He led the local soldiers during the French and Indian War. This was a big war fought between Britain and France, with their Native American allies, over land in North America.
A Declaration for Freedom
In 1773, a very important document was written in an upstairs study of this house. It was called the Sheffield Declaration. This paper was a protest against the British government's unfair rules. It also spoke about individual rights and freedoms.
When the American Revolutionary War began, John Ashley was too old to fight. But he still helped the war effort! He was important in setting up iron factories in nearby Salisbury, Connecticut. This iron was used to make weapons and tools for the war.
Elizabeth "Mum Bett" Freeman's Fight for Freedom
One of the most important stories connected to the Ashley House is about a woman named Elizabeth "Mum Bett" Freeman. She was enslaved by the Ashley family.
In 1781, Mum Bett went to court to win her freedom. She used the new Massachusetts Constitution to argue that all people were born free and equal. She won her case! This famous court battle helped end slavery in Massachusetts. Her victory was a huge step forward for human rights.
Gallery
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Interior detail
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See also
