Goodwood (Richmond, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Goodwood
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 311 Summit Road, Richmond, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1792 |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004955 |
| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1982 |
Goodwood is a really old and special house located in Richmond, Massachusetts. It was built around 1792 and is a great example of how houses looked back then, mixing two styles called Georgian and Federalist. What makes Goodwood even more interesting is that many famous and important people have lived there over the years.
Contents
The Story of Goodwood House
The first important person to own the Goodwood property was Jeremiah Pierson. He bought the land in 1792 and built a house and other small buildings on it. Five years later, he sold the property.
Early Owners and Their Impact
In 1820, a man named Reverend Edwin Welles Dwight bought Goodwood. He was a minister at the local church for 18 years. Reverend Dwight was also very interested in helping people in other countries.
He wrote a book about a young man from the South Sea Islands (now called Polynesia) named Henry Obookiah. This book helped start the very first group of missionaries to travel to the Sandwich Islands, which we now know as Hawaii.
Goodwood and Geology
In 1838, Reverend Dwight sold Goodwood to Stephen Reed, who was a geologist. Geologists study the Earth's rocks and land. Stephen Reed became famous around the world for describing something called the Richmond Boulder Train.
This "boulder train" is a line of huge rocks, called glacial erratics, that were moved by glaciers long ago. These rocks are found in Richmond and nearby New York. His descriptions led to big discussions among scientists about how glaciers shaped the land.
How Goodwood Got Its Name
After Stephen Reed, the house had several different owners. In 1896, a woman named Mrs. Henry March bought the property. She decided to name it "Goodwood."
She chose this name after Goodwood House in England, which was the home of the Dukes of Richmond. Our town of Richmond was actually named after the third Duke of Richmond, who supported America's independence during the American Revolution.
A Diplomat's Home
In 1933, Goodwood was bought by Raymond Leslie Buell. He was a very important diplomat, which means he helped represent his country in talks with other nations. He was also once the editor of a famous magazine called Fortune.
In 1982, the house was owned by someone who was related to both Raymond Buell and Reverend Dwight. That same year, Goodwood was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important buildings and places in the United States.
Inside Goodwood House
Goodwood is a two-story house made of wood. It has a square shape and shows off both older Georgian and newer Federalist styles.
Key Features of the House
The most noticeable part of the front of the house is the entrance porch. It has special windows on the sides of the door and a beautiful semi-circle window above.
Inside, the house is very well kept. It has a main hallway in the middle, with rooms on either side. There are also two chimneys inside the house.
A Special Library
The original kitchen, which was at the back and right of the hall, still has its old cooking fireplace. However, this room has been changed into a library. It holds Dr. Buell's collection of 2,000 books! The two main living rooms at the front of the house are also beautifully decorated.
 | William M. Jackson |
 | Juan E. Gilbert |
 | Neil deGrasse Tyson |
