Elias Sprague House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Elias Sprague House
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Elias Sprague House, under renovation
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2187 South St., Coventry, Connecticut |
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| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built | 1821 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 87001910 |
| Added to NRHP | November 2, 1987 |
The Elias Sprague House is a historic home located at 2187 South Street in Coventry, Connecticut. It was built in 1821, making it a very old and well-preserved example of an early 19th-century Connecticut house. This special house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, which means it's recognized as an important historical site.
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What is the Elias Sprague House Like?
The Elias Sprague House is in a quiet, country area in southwestern Coventry. You can find it on the south side of South Street, not far from Nathan Hale State Forest.
House Design and Features
This house is a one-and-a-half story building made of wood. It's built in a style called "Cape style." It has a roof that slopes down on two sides (a gabled roof) and a chimney right in the middle of the house. The outside walls are covered with wooden boards called clapboards.
Inside the House
The front of the house has five windows and a door in the center. Inside, the house has a common layout for homes with a central chimney. There's a small entryway when you walk in. On each side of the chimney, there are living rooms. The kitchen is located behind the chimney. Many original parts of the house are still there. This includes wooden panels and trim, and several doors with their original metal hinges.
History of the Elias Sprague House
The Elias Sprague House was built in 1821. It's a great example of how country homes were designed during that time. It shows a simple, local style of building.
Famous Owners and Use
In the early 1900s, a well-known collector named George Dudley Seymour owned the house. He was an antiquarian, which means he was very interested in old things and history. Later, the town gave the house to the Coventry Historical Society. This group worked to fix up the house between 1964 and 1965. They then used it as a historic site for people to visit.
Changes Over Time
In 2008, the historical society decided to sell the house. They had grown too big for the house to be their meeting place. This decision caused some discussion because the town had given them the property to use as a museum. Some people argued that the historical society shouldn't be allowed to sell it. However, in 2011, the State Property Review Board agreed that the house could be sold for someone to live in. Today, the Elias Sprague House has been fixed up and made bigger, and it is now a private home.
