Dinsmoor–Hale House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Dinsmoor–Hale House
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main and Winchester Sts., Keene, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1860 |
| Built by | Buss & Woodward |
| Architect | Elbridge Boyden |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000197 |
| Added to NRHP | April 26, 1976 |
The Dinsmoor–Hale House is a historic and beautiful building in Keene, New Hampshire. It stands proudly at the corner of Main and Winchester Streets. This house was built in 1860 for Samuel Dinsmoor, Jr., who was a lawyer and once served as the Governor of New Hampshire. Later, another Governor, Samuel W. Hale, owned the house and added many fancy touches to its inside. Since 1909, the house has been part of what is now Keene State College. Today, it serves as the office for the college president. Because of its history and unique style, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Contents
Discovering the Dinsmoor–Hale House
The Dinsmoor–Hale House is located just south of downtown Keene. You can find it right on the campus of Keene State College. It's a large, three-story building made of brick. The outside is covered in a smooth material called stucco. The roof is low and gently sloped, which is typical for its style.
What Does the House Look Like?
The house has a unique shape. It's mostly square, but some parts stick out a little. On the south side, there's a slight bump-out where the stairs are. The front of the house has a cool, rounded section that goes up all three stories. This part is topped with its own small, curved roof. The main entrance is set back a bit from the front wall. Above the entrance, there's a small porch that is covered by a tiny gable roof.
A Home for Governors
This special house was built in 1860 for Samuel Dinsmoor Jr. He was a very important person in Keene. He was a successful lawyer and also the president of a bank. Plus, he served three terms as the Governor of New Hampshire in the 1850s!
To design his new home, Dinsmoor hired Elbridge Boyden. Boyden was a famous architect from Worcester, Massachusetts. When it was finished, people said the Dinsmoor–Hale House was one of the most beautiful homes in all of Cheshire County, New Hampshire.
Later, the house was owned by Samuel W. Hale. He also became a Governor in the 1880s. Governor Hale made the house and its gardens even more grand and luxurious.
From Home to College Landmark
In 1909, the house was given to the city of Keene. The city then gave it to the state to be used as part of a "normal school." A normal school was a special type of college that trained teachers. This normal school eventually grew into what we know today as Keene State College. The Dinsmoor–Hale House continues to be an important part of the college campus.
