East Plymouth Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
East Plymouth Historic District
|
|
St. Matthew's Church, converted into a residence
|
|
 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | E. Plymouth and Marsh Rd., Plymouth, Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Area | 11.5 acres (4.7 ha) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000312 |
| Added to NRHP | February 21, 1985 |
The East Plymouth Historic District is a special area in Plymouth, Connecticut. It's like a time capsule that protects old buildings and the history of a small village. This district is known for its beautiful old homes and the historic St. Matthew's Church. The church was built way back in 1792 and is one of the oldest Episcopal churches still standing in Connecticut! Most of the buildings here were built in the early to mid-1800s. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, which means it's recognized as an important historical site.
Discovering East Plymouth's Past
How East Plymouth Grew
The area we now call East Plymouth was not very busy until after the American Revolutionary War. A small road crossing, where East Plymouth and Marsh Roads meet, became important in 1792. This was when St. Matthew's Church was built.
The church was started by people from Plymouth who were not happy with a decision to build a new church somewhere else. Some people from Bristol, Connecticut also joined because they didn't like their preacher. As more church members moved to the area, the crossroads grew into a small village. Soon, there was a tavern and a blacksmith shop.
The village mostly relied on farming. But in the late 1800s, many people left to find work in bigger towns. This caused the village to become quieter.
What You'll See in the District
The historic district stretches along East Plymouth Street, near Marsh Road. It includes eight houses built in the 1800s. You'll also see the old St. Matthew's Church building from 1792. This church is now a home, but it's very important because it's one of the few church buildings from the 1700s left in Connecticut.
The houses and their smaller buildings are mostly in styles popular in the early 1800s. These styles are called Federal and Greek Revival. Some of these homes stayed in the same families for a very long time, even into the 1900s!
