Dole–Little House facts for kids

Front view of the Dole–Little House

Side view of the house from High Road

The Dole–Little House is a very old and special home located in Newbury, Massachusetts. It's like a time capsule that shows us what life was like long ago. Today, it's a museum run by an organization called Historic New England. They work to protect old buildings and share their stories.

The house is sometimes open for visitors, but you can also arrange a special tour to explore its history. It's a great way to learn about how people lived in the early 1700s!

Discovering the Dole–Little House

The Dole–Little House has a fascinating past. It was built around the year 1715. Imagine, that's over 300 years ago!

Who Built It?

The house was built for a man named Richard Dole. He was a cattleman, which means he raised cows. The builders used materials from an even older building, perhaps one from around 1670. This was a common practice back then, as it saved resources.

What Did It Look Like?

When it was first built, the Dole–Little House had a simple design. It had two main rooms and a large chimney in the middle. This central chimney helped keep the whole house warm. There was also a small kitchen shed at the back. Over time, this shed was replaced with a larger lean-to, which is like an extra room added onto the side of a building.

Bringing History Back: The Restoration

For many years, the Dole–Little House stood as a quiet reminder of the past. But in 1954, a woman named Florence Evans Bushee bought the house. She had a special plan to bring it back to its original look from the 1700s.

What Was Changed?

During Mrs. Bushee's restoration work, many things were carefully updated. The lean-to at the back was taken down and rebuilt using new wood. Some of the original window panes from the front of the house were moved to the lean-to.

A Piece of History in Washington, D.C.

One interesting part of the restoration involved a special wooden wall paneling from one of the rooms. This original paneling was moved to the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.. It's now part of an exhibition there, showing people what homes looked like in early America. A copy of the paneling was made and put back in the house, so visitors can still see what the room would have looked like.

A Museum for Everyone

After Mrs. Bushee passed away in 1975, the Dole–Little House was given to Historic New England. This organization now takes care of the house, making sure its history is preserved for future generations. They open it to the public, allowing people like you to step back in time and explore this amazing historic home.