Franklin Pierce Homestead facts for kids
|
Franklin Pierce Homestead
|
|
 |
|
| Nearest city | Hillsborough, New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | July 4, 1961 |
The Franklin Pierce Homestead is a special old house in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. It's now a museum and a state park! This house was the childhood home of Franklin Pierce, who later became the 14th President of the United States.
Contents
Exploring the Historic House
The Franklin Pierce Homestead is a large, two-story wooden house. It has a special roof shape called a hip roof. The main part of the house was built in 1804.
What the House Looks Like
You can find the house on the east side of Washington Road. It sits on a 13-acre (5.3 ha) piece of land. The house has two main entrances, one facing the street and another 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 building for a well and a shed. The shed links the house to a barn.
Inside the Homestead
The main part of the house has four rooms downstairs. A hallway and stairs are in the middle. The living room is on the left, and the dining room is on the right. The kitchen is behind the dining room, and the main bedroom is behind the living room.
Upstairs, the front of the house has a big ballroom! The back of the house has two more bedrooms, each with a dressing room. Many rooms in the main house were once decorated with stencils. Some of these old designs can still be seen today.
The added section of the house has a kitchen and laundry room downstairs. Upstairs, there were bedrooms, probably for servants.
A Look at History
The home was built in 1804 by Benjamin Pierce. He was Franklin Pierce's father. Benjamin Pierce fought in the American Revolution and later became the governor of New Hampshire.
Building the Homestead
Benjamin Pierce bought 200 acres (81 ha) of land in Hillsborough. He built this large home and also a tavern nearby. 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.
John McNeil Jr. was married to Benjamin Pierce's daughter, Elizabeth. Her house, built in 1807, is next door. Today, it's known as the Elizabeth Pierce House and is an antique shop.
Franklin Pierce's Early Life
The Franklin Pierce Homestead is one of the places where Franklin Pierce might have been born. Another possible birthplace is now under a lake called Franklin Pierce Lake.
Franklin Pierce lived at the 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.
Young Franklin and his friends supported Andrew Jackson for President. After college, Franklin came back to the homestead to study law. In 1825, he moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to work in a law office.
Pierce's Political Beginnings
In March 1828, Pierce returned to Hillsborough. He made his first public political appearance to help his father's campaign for governor. He returned to the family home in 1834 when he married Jane Appleton.
Jane was not very comfortable living in Hillsborough. So, Franklin and Jane Pierce moved to Concord, New Hampshire. Franklin was serving in the state legislature at the time. They rented a house there while he started a new law business.
A Presidential Campaign Stop
On August 19, 1852, the town of Hillsborough held a huge meeting for Pierce's presidential campaign. About 25,000 people came to hear speeches and enjoy food. After his single term as president, Pierce returned to the family homestead in June 1857 for a short time.
Preserving This Important Place
The home stayed in the Pierce family until 1925. Then, it was given to the state of New Hampshire. The house was fixed up and made new again in the 1940s and 1960s.
The Homestead Today
The Franklin Pierce Homestead is now a state park. It was also named a National Historic Landmark in 1961. This means it's a very important historical site in the United States.
The old barn has been turned into a welcome center. It has displays and old items to see. The Hillsborough Historical Society helps to run the home as a museum.
Images for kids
-
The Franklin Pierce Homestead
