George Nace (Neas) House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
George Nace (Neas) House
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 113-115 W. Chestnut St., Hanover, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | c. 1795 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001181 |
| Added to NRHP | April 26, 1972 |
The George Nace (Neas) House, also called the Neas House, is a really old and important house in Hanover, Pennsylvania. It's in the historic part of town in York County, Pennsylvania. This house was built around 1783 by Mathias Neas. It's so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, which means it's officially recognized as a place worth protecting.
Contents
History of the Neas House
The Neas House is part of the Hanover Historic District in Pennsylvania. It was built around 1783 by a man named Mathias Nace (also known as Neas). Mathias was a tanner, which means he prepared animal hides to make leather. He bought the land for the house from his brother, George Nace.
Later, the house became home to George Nace, Jr. He was an important person in Hanover's early history. From 1790 to 1813, he was the town's third postmaster, in charge of mail. In 1815, he became Hanover's first burgess. A burgess was like the mayor of the town. He also served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, helping to make laws for the state.
George Nace, Jr. lived in the house with his wife, Catharine, and her daughter, Amanda. Amanda later married Mathias Nace Forney. He was one of the people who started the Hanover Savings Fund Society, which later became the Bank of Hanover.
In 1974, the Hanover Area Historical Society bought and fixed up the Neas House. Today, it is the society's main office and a museum.
House Features and Collections
The Neas House is a two-and-a-half-story brick building. It was built in the Georgian style, which was popular a long time ago. It has a strong stone foundation, two chimneys, and a steep roof. You can also see some Federal-style details, which were common in buildings from that time.
Inside, the house has nine rooms and nine fireplaces. There's even an old warming kitchen with exposed wooden beams. The museum has furniture and personal items that belonged to the first families who lived there. These items help you imagine what life was like hundreds of years ago.
Civil War Flag Display
One very special item at the Neas House is an American flag. This flag flew over the American Spectator newspaper office in Hanover during the American Civil War. On June 30, 1863, during the Battle of Hanover, a group of people from Pennsylvania and New York saved the flag. They kept it safe from Confederate troops. This battle was the last fight between Union and Confederate forces before the big Battle of Gettysburg in July.
Yelland Library
The Neas House also has the Yelland Library. This library has about 800 books, old items, and other things that tell the story of the Hanover area. It's a great place for people who want to learn more about local history. The library is open to the public on Friday mornings. If you need to do research, you can also make an appointment to visit Monday through Saturday.
Visiting the Neas House
You can take a tour of this historic house on Saturdays. Tours are available from noon to 3:00 p.m. between April and October each year. The house is closed during the colder winter months. There is a small fee to take a tour.
The Yelland Library, also at the Neas House, is open to everyone on Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to noon. You can also schedule a visit to the library on Mondays through Saturdays if you need to do research.
See also
- Eichelberger High School, Hanover, Pennsylvania
- Hanover Historic District, Hanover, Pennsylvania
- United States Post Office (Hanover, Pennsylvania)
Images for kids
