Franklin Pierce Homestead facts for kids
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Franklin Pierce Homestead
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| Nearest city | Hillsborough, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 13 acres (5.3 ha) |
| Built | 1804 |
| Website | Franklin Pierce Homestead State Historic Site |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000027 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | July 4, 1961 |
The Franklin Pierce Homestead is a special historic house and state park in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. It was the childhood home of Franklin Pierce, who became the 14th president of the United States. Imagine growing up in a place that later became a museum!
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Exploring the Pierce Homestead
This historic house sits on a 13-acre property in Hillsborough. It is a two-story wooden building with a unique hip roof. The main part of the house was built way back in 1804.
The house has two main doors. One faces the street, and the other is on the south side. Both doors have cool windows above them and fancy columns on the sides. A two-story section was added to the back of the house later on. Connected to this part are a small wellhouse and a shed that leads to a barn.
Inside the main house, the first floor has four rooms. There's a central hallway with stairs. To the left is the parlor, and to the right is the dining room. Behind these are the kitchen and the main bedroom.
Upstairs, the front of the house has a huge ballroom! The back of the second floor has two more bedrooms, each with its own dressing room. Many of these rooms were originally decorated with special stenciling. Some of these old designs can still be seen today. The added wing has a kitchen and laundry downstairs, and bedrooms upstairs. These were likely for servants.
A Look Back: The Homestead's Story
Franklin Pierce's father, Benjamin Pierce, built this home in 1804. Benjamin Pierce was a hero of the American Revolution. He later became the governor of New Hampshire. He bought 200 acres of land in Hillsborough after a new road opened nearby. Besides the house, he also built a tavern here.
After Benjamin Pierce passed away in 1839, the property went to his son-in-law, John McNeil Jr.. John McNeil Jr. was a general during the War of 1812. He was married to Benjamin's daughter, Elizabeth. Her house, built in 1807, is right next door and is now an antique shop.
The homestead is one of two possible places where Franklin Pierce was born. The other spot is now under Franklin Pierce Lake. Franklin Pierce lived at this homestead until 1834 when he got married. He did leave for seven years to go to school, college, and study law.
He finished college in 1824. At that time, young Pierce and his friends supported Andrew Jackson for president. Franklin then came back to Hillsborough to study law. In 1825, he moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to work in a law office.
In March 1828, Pierce returned to Hillsborough. He made his first public political appearance to help his father's campaign for governor. He came back to the family homestead in 1834 when he married Jane Appleton. Jane didn't really like living in Hillsborough. So, the Pierces moved to Concord, New Hampshire. Franklin was serving in the state legislature then. They rented a house while he started a new law business.
On August 19, 1852, Hillsborough hosted a huge meeting for Pierce's presidential campaign. About 25,000 people came for speeches and food! After serving one term as president, Pierce returned to the family homestead in June 1857.
Keeping History Alive: Today's Homestead
The home stayed in the Pierce family until 1925. Then, it was given to the state of New Hampshire. It was carefully fixed up and restored in the 1940s and 1960s.
The homestead is now a state park. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1961. The old barn has been turned into a welcome center. It has cool displays and historical items. The New Hampshire Bureau of Historic Sites manages this important historical place.
Want to Learn More?
- Franklin Pierce House (South Main Street, Concord, New Hampshire), where Pierce died (this house is no longer standing)
- Pierce Manse, another home of Franklin Pierce in Concord from 1842 to 1848
- List of residences of presidents of the United States
- List of National Historic Landmarks in New Hampshire
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Historical Marker No. 65: Pierce Homestead
- Presidential memorials in the United States
