Crowninshield House facts for kids
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Crowninshield House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Location | 164 Marlborough St., Boston, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1870 |
| Architect | Henry Hobson Richardson |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| Part of | Back Bay Historic District (ID73001948) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000145 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 23, 1972 |
| Designated CP | August 14, 1973 |
The Crowninshield House is a special old house located at 164 Marlborough Street in the Back Bay area of Boston, Massachusetts. It was built in 1870. This house is important because it was the very first home designed by a famous architect named Henry Hobson Richardson. In 1972, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized as a significant historical site.
Contents
What Makes the House Special?
The Crowninshield House is a four-story building made of brick. It stands at the corner of Marlborough and Dartmouth Street. The house has cool decorations, including black brick, brownstone, and colorful green and blue tiles.
It also has a unique roof called a mansard roof, which has slopes on all sides. The front of the house has a part that sticks out, where the main entrance is. This entrance has windows on the sides and a fancy, curved iron cover above it.
Who Designed It?
The house was designed in 1868 and finished in 1870 by H.H. Richardson. He was a very well-known architect. This house is the oldest surviving home that Richardson designed.
While Richardson later became famous for his Romanesque style, this house looks a bit different. It was built more in the Second Empire style, which was popular at the time. The Crowninshield House is one of only two homes designed by Richardson that are still standing in Boston today.
About Benjamin Crowninshield
The house was built for a man named Benjamin William Crowninshield (1837–1892). He was part of the important Crowninshield family from Boston.
His Life and Studies
Benjamin Crowninshield went to Harvard College and graduated in 1858. Two of his classmates were the architect H.H. Richardson and the writer Henry Adams. Henry Adams even wrote about his friendship with Crowninshield in his famous book, Education of Henry Adams.
Benjamin Crowninshield loved to study history. He wrote and spoke about many topics, including yachting and military history. One of his published books is A History of the First Regiment of Massachusetts Cavalry Volunteers, which came out in 1891.
Building His Home
In 1868, Benjamin Crowninshield asked his friend Richardson to design his new house. He wanted it built on Marlborough Street in the Back Bay area of Boston. This area was newly created land at the time.
