Cushing Homestead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cushing Homestead
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210 East Street
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Hingham, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1678 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000326 |
| Added to NRHP | June 4, 1973 |
The Cushing Homestead is a very old and special house in Hingham, Massachusetts. It was built way back in 1678! This house shows us what homes looked like in the 1600s and 1700s. It has a unique shape called a "saltbox," which means the roof slopes down very far in the back. It also has some features from the later Georgian style. The two main rooms from when the house was first built still look much like they did centuries ago.
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A Home from the 1600s
This historic house was built in 1678. It was built by Daniel Cushing for his son, Peter Cushing. Daniel was an important person in Hingham. He was the town clerk and a judge. Peter Cushing, who was born in 1646, later ran a mill on land near the house.
One of Hingham's Oldest Homes
The Cushing Homestead is one of the oldest houses in Hingham. Because it is so old and important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it is recognized as a special historic site in the United States. It is also a Massachusetts Historic Landmark. The house sits on a large piece of land, about ten acres.
Inside the Historic House
The house is made of white wooden boards called clapboard. It has five windows across the front. Inside, you can see special sponge painting. Experts believe this painting was done before the year 1700. The house also has a huge, original fireplace that still works!
What Else is on the Property?
The Cushing Homestead property includes more than just the house. There is an old barn, a corncrib (where corn was stored), and a forge (a place where metal was heated and shaped). You can also find the remains of an old mill and dam. There's even a spot that was once a Native American fishing hole. Old stone walls and markers can be seen, along with a large hayfield. All these things tell us about Hingham's early days as a farming community.
Monique Lehner, an expert on old buildings, says the Cushing Homestead is very important. She calls it "one of the most important homesteads in Hingham." She also notes that it has been "beautifully maintained inside and out."
The Oldest Barn in the United States
The barn on the property is very special. Some people say it might be the oldest barn in the entire United States! The wood used to build this barn came from Hingham's very first meeting house. A meeting house was a building used for town meetings and church services. This first meeting house was replaced by the famous Old Ship Church in 1681. The barn has a pointed roof and is covered with wooden shingles. It also has pretty red trim.
The Cushing Family History
The Cushing Homestead has been lived in by members of the Cushing family for over 300 years! The family members who lived there are direct descendants of the original builder, Peter Cushing. Peter's father was Matthew Cushing, a Puritan who came to Hingham from Norfolk, England, in 1638.
Important Family Members
Many interesting Cushing family members have lived in the house. One was Captain Peter Cushing (1741–1783). He was the grandson and namesake of the first owner. Captain Cushing was a "selectman" (a town leader) and a "constable" (like a police officer) in Hingham. He also led a group of soldiers during the American Revolutionary War. His company fought under General Benjamin Lincoln, who was also from Hingham.
A Revolutionary War Landmark
There was once a famous elm tree on the property. This tree was a well-known landmark for many years. In 1775, a pastor named John Brown gave a speech to a group of Minutemen under this tree. Minutemen were special citizen soldiers who were ready to fight at a moment's notice during the Revolutionary War. These soldiers were from nearby Cohasset. After hearing the speech, they went on to fight in the Siege of Boston. They served under Colonel (who later became Brigadier General) John Greaton.
