Edwin DeVries Vanderhoop Homestead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Edwin DeVries Vanderhoop Homestead
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Aquinnah, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1890 |
| NRHP reference No. | 06000784 |
| Added to NRHP | September 6, 2006 |
The Edwin DeVries Vanderhoop Homestead is a special old house in Aquinnah, Massachusetts. It's located at 35 South Road. This house was built around 1890.
It was the first home built by a member of the important Vanderhoop family. This family has played a big role in the town of Aquinnah. They are also important in the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head.
In 2006, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a very important historical site. Today, the house is a museum called the Aquinnah Cultural Center. It teaches visitors about the history and culture of the Wampanoag tribe.
Contents
A Look Back: The Vanderhoop Family Home
The Vanderhoop Family's Start in Aquinnah
The story of this house begins with William Adrian Vanderhoop. He was born in 1816. William was the first Vanderhoop to move to what is now Aquinnah, Massachusetts. Back then, it was a special area for the Wampanoags of Gay Head.
In 1837, William married a Wampanoag woman. They had a large family. Their children and grandchildren are still important in the town and the tribe today.
How the Town of Aquinnah Began
In 1869, the state of Massachusetts started to create the town of Gay Head. This was the old name for Aquinnah. The state divided the tribal lands among the Wampanoag members.
In 1890, William Vanderhoop bought some land from a tribal member. He paid $40 for it. He then gave the land to his son, Edwin DeVries Vanderhoop.
Edwin Vanderhoop: A Leader
Edwin DeVries Vanderhoop was a very important person. He was a captain on whaling ships. He was also the first Wampanoag person to serve in the state government. This government is called the state legislature.
Between 1890 and 1897, Edwin built his house on the land. The house still looks much like it did back then. Only small changes have been made over the years.
The House Becomes a Museum
Later, the Town of Aquinnah bought the house. It became the home of the Aquinnah Cultural Center. This center is a non-profit group. They turned the house into a museum and cultural center. It's a great place to learn about the Wampanoag people.
What the House Looks Like
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The Edwin DeVries Vanderhoop Homestead is on the far west side of Gay Head. It's about one mile (1.6 km) west of the center of Aquinnah. The house is at the end of South Road. This road connects Aquinnah to the rest of Martha's Vineyard.
The house sits on a windy spot near the road. From here, the land slopes down towards the ocean. You can see amazing views of the Rhode Island Sound.
House Design
The house has two main parts. They are built in a style called Cape style. Each part has its own chimney. It looks like both parts were built around the same time. It's even possible one part was moved to this spot before 1890.
The northern part of the house is 24 feet long and 16 feet wide. It has three windows on the long side and two on the short side. A two-story entrance sticks out from the middle of the north side. There are porches on either side of this entrance.
The southern part of the house is 22 feet long and 16 feet wide. It has a single-story section sticking out from its south side.
Inside the House
Inside, the northern part of the house has a living room and a parlor. The southern part holds the kitchen, pantry, and dining room. Upstairs, there are four bedrooms and a bathroom.
The walls and ceilings are made of plaster. The floors are painted pine wood. Not many changes have been made to the first floor. A fireplace was added to the living room. Also, some doorways were made wider.
See also
