David Humphreys House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Gen. David Humphreys House
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 37 Elm St., Ansonia, Connecticut, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1695-1698 |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001321 |
| Added to NRHP | March 17, 1972 |
The General David Humphreys House is a special old home in Ansonia, Connecticut. It's like a museum where you can learn about history! This house was built a very long time ago, in the 1690s. It's famous because it was the birthplace of David Humphreys, who was a brave Colonel during the American Revolutionary War. Today, the Derby Historical Society owns the house and uses it as their main office. It became a recognized historic place in 1972.
Contents
Exploring the Humphreys House
This historic house is in southern Ansonia. It is a two-and-a-half-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof, a chimney in the middle, and wooden boards on the outside. The front of the house has five windows, with the main door in the center. The door is set back a little, with a small roof over it.
Inside the Historic Home
When you go inside, you can see many original features from long ago. There is a big fireplace in one of the back rooms. You can also see beautiful wooden panels on the walls that were carved by hand. The house was carefully fixed up in the late 1900s to keep it looking its best.
Who Was David Humphreys?
David Humphreys was born in this house in 1752. At that time, this area was part of Derby. He grew up to be a very important person in American history.
A Friend of George Washington
David Humphreys was a close friend of General George Washington. He even served as an aide-de-camp to Washington. An aide-de-camp is like a personal assistant or helper to a high-ranking officer.
America's First Ambassador
Later, President George Washington chose David Humphreys for a very special job. He became the first ambassador from the United States to another country, Portugal. An ambassador is a person who represents their country in a foreign land. Humphreys also served as an ambassador to Spain.
Bringing Sheep to Connecticut
While he was in Spain, David Humphreys did something else important for Connecticut. He helped bring merino sheep to the state. Merino sheep are known for their very fine wool. This helped farmers in Connecticut.
The House Today
The General David Humphreys House has been restored to look like it did in the mid-1700s. It helps visitors imagine what life was like back then. It is now the main office for the Derby Historical Society, which works to preserve local history.
More to See
