Converse House and Barn facts for kids
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Converse House and Barn
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Colonel Converse House
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 185 Washington St., Norwich, Connecticut |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1870 |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| Part of | Chelsea Parade Historic District (ID88003215) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000716 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 6, 1970 |
| Designated CP | May 12, 1989 |
The Converse House and Barn are a special old property in Norwich, Connecticut. They are located at 185 Washington Street. This house was built around 1870 for a local businessman. It's a great example of a fancy old house style called High Victorian Gothic architecture. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. It is also part of the Chelsea Parade Historic District.
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What is the Converse House?
The Converse House is a historic building in Norwich. It stands near the Chelsea Parade park. The house is a two-and-a-half-story building. It is made of wood and has a unique Gothic Revival style.
A Look at the House's Design
The house looks very interesting and not perfectly even. It has vertical wooden boards on the outside. The exterior uses different colors, making it look lively. The front of the house has a tall tower with a sloped roof. In front of the tower, there is a cool seven-sided porch.
Many windows on the front have pointed, peaked tops. You can also see fancy wooden decorations. These are attached to the steep, Gothic-style roof gables.
Inside the Converse House
Inside the house, you can find beautiful details. The floors are made of fine oak wood. The dining room has elegant walnut wood panels. There is also a fireplace with special tiles. These tiles show a Dutch landscape picture. The barn on the property seems to be as old as the house.
Who Was Colonel Converse?
The Converse House was built around 1870. It shows off the High Victorian Gothic style very well. This house was once the home of Colonel Charles A. Converse. He was a well-known businessman in the area. Colonel Converse was also a kind person who gave money to good causes.
The house has not changed much over the years. The kitchen was made a little bigger. This was done to make it more modern. Colonel Converse is most famous for a generous gift. He donated the Converse Art Gallery to the Norwich Free Academy.
