Edmund Fowle House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Edmund Fowle House
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Edmund Fowle House, Watertown, Massachusetts
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 26–28 Marshall St., Watertown, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1772 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000189 |
| Added to NRHP | November 11, 1977 |
The Edmund Fowle House is a very old house and a local history museum in Watertown, Massachusetts. It was built in 1772. This makes it the second-oldest house still standing in Watertown.
During the American Revolutionary War, this house was a super important meeting place. The leaders of Massachusetts met here when Boston was occupied by British soldiers. Today, the house is owned by a local history group. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 because of its importance.
Contents
What the House Looks Like
The Edmund Fowle House is a two-story building made of wood. It has a sloped roof and a chimney in the middle. The outside is covered with wooden boards called clapboards.
The front of the house has five sections with windows. The main door is in the center. It has a small, enclosed porch that sticks out. This porch has a flat roof. The doorway itself has special windows on the sides and fancy wood carvings around it.
History of the Edmund Fowle House
Building the House
Edmund Fowle built this house in 1772. Its first location was on Mount Auburn Street. Back then, that street was called Mill Street.
A Key Place During the Revolution
Watertown became a very important town during the American Revolution. It was like the temporary capital for Massachusetts. This happened when British soldiers took over Boston. The Massachusetts Provincial Congress, which was the government at the time, met in Watertown.
From April 1775 to September 1776, important meetings happened right here in the Edmund Fowle House. The leaders of the Provincial Congress and the Executive Committee used it as their meeting spot.
The Treaty of Watertown
A very special event happened in this house in 1776. The Treaty of Watertown was signed here. This was the first treaty ever signed between the new United States of America and a foreign power. The treaty was made with the St. John's and Mi'kmaq First Nations. These groups were from Nova Scotia, which is now part of Canada.
Later Years and Restoration
In 1871, two architects bought the house. They moved it to its current spot on Marshall Street. They also changed it into a home for two families.
The Historical Society of Watertown bought the house in 1922. This group works to protect and share local history. In the early 2000s, the house received money for repairs. It got $500,000 in 2004 and another $200,000 in 2006. These funds helped restore the house to its former glory. The Edmund Fowle House officially reopened in May 2008.
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