Dorothy Quincy Homestead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Quincy Homestead
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 34 Butler Road, Quincy, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 1.7 acres (0.69 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000095 |
| Added to NRHP | July 01, 1970 |
The Dorothy Quincy Homestead is a very old and important house in Quincy, Massachusetts. It was built way back in 1686 by Edmund Quincy II. This house is now a special museum. You can visit it sometimes to learn about its history. It's a National Historic Landmark, which means it's a really important place in American history.
Contents
History of the Quincy Homestead
The original land around the Homestead was huge. It covered about 200 acres. This land stretched all the way to Quincy Bay. The Quincy family was one of the most important families in Massachusetts for a long time. They lived there from the 1600s to the 1800s.
The Quincy Family's Legacy
Many famous people came from the Quincy family. These included several important Edmund Quincys and Josiah Quincys. Even John Quincy Adams, who became a president, was connected to this family. His mother, Abigail Adams, was the first First Lady of the United States. The Quincy family first settled in what is now Quincy in the 1630s.
A Meeting Place for Patriots
The Dorothy Quincy Homestead was built by Edmund Quincy II. It became a popular meeting spot for many American Revolutionary War leaders. People like John Adams, Colonel John Quincy, and John Hancock gathered here. It was also the childhood home of Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott. She was the wife of John Hancock and the first First Lady of Massachusetts.
Preserving the Historic Homestead
The Dorothy Quincy Homestead is special because it shows how architecture changed over 300 years. You can see different styles like Colonial, Georgian, and Victorian. It's rare to find a 17th-century building in Massachusetts that still clearly shows its original style. Even though it has later additions, its old parts are still visible. In 2005, the Quincy Homestead was named a National Historic Landmark.
Working Together to Save History
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts owns the Homestead. It is managed by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. They work together to keep the house safe and open to the public. In 1904, the house was in danger of being torn down. People in Quincy started a group to save it.
This group was led by the Massachusetts Colonial Dames and Charles Francis Adams, Jr.. He was the grandson of President John Quincy Adams. Quincy residents raised money to help the Dames buy the house. They turned it into a special house museum.
A Long-Term Partnership
To protect the house for a long time, the Colonial Dames made an agreement with the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth agreed to pay for big repairs and keep the outside of the house nice. The Dames agreed to take care of the inside. They decorated it with old furniture and art from the time period. They also teach visitors about the house's history. This partnership has been going strong for over 100 years.
Since 2005, the Dorothy Quincy Homestead has had a big makeover on the outside. This project helped restore the beautiful old building. They painted the house, fixed the windows, and made other important improvements.
Gallery
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"Dorothy Q" House, old Quincy Mansion, Quincy, Mass.
See also
- Quincy Mansion
- Josiah Quincy House
- Quincy family
- List of the oldest buildings in Massachusetts
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Massachusetts
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Quincy, Massachusetts
