Fisher–Richardson House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fisher–Richardson House
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 354 Willow St., Mansfield, Massachusetts |
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| Built | c. 1743 |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 98000096 |
| Added to NRHP | February 11, 1998 |
The Fisher–Richardson House is a very old and special house located at 354 Willow Street in Mansfield, Massachusetts. It was built a long time ago, between 1743 and 1751. This makes it one of the oldest houses in Mansfield! In 1930, the house was carefully fixed up. Today, it is a museum where you can learn about local history.
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What Does the Fisher–Richardson House Look Like?
The Fisher–Richardson House sits near Willow Street in the middle of Mansfield. It is a one-and-a-half-story building made of wood. The roof is a special shape called a gambrel roof, covered with wood shingles.
Key Features of the House
The house has two chimneys inside and its walls are covered with clapboard siding. The front of the house has six window openings, but they are not spaced evenly. The main door is a little to the right of the center.
Inside the Historic House
When you go inside, you will see wide pine floors. The ceilings have exposed wooden beams, which means you can see the strong wooden supports. The walls have special beaded wood panels. Some parts, like the fireplace mantels, were rebuilt during the 1930 restoration.
Who Built the Fisher–Richardson House?
The house was first built by a person named Ebenezer Wellman. He built it sometime between 1743 and 1751. He used a special building method called plank-frame, which was popular back then.
How the House Grew Over Time
Around the year 1800, the house became much bigger. Lemuel Fisher added a whole new section to the western side, almost doubling its size. Later, the property was passed down to Ira Richardson. He had married into the important Fisher family.
Saving the Historic House
In 1929, the last local Richardson family member passed away. The house was offered to a group that saves old buildings. However, people in Mansfield really wanted to save it themselves. So, the house was given to the town. The town then worked to restore it. Today, the Mansfield Historical Society takes care of it as a house museum.
National Recognition for the House
Because of its history and importance, the Fisher–Richardson House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 11, 1998. This list includes buildings that are important to the history of the United States.
See also
