Gov. Meshech Weare House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Gov. Meshech Weare House
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Exeter Rd. (NH 88), Hampton Falls, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1776 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000174 |
| Added to NRHP | June 29, 1973 |
The Gov. Meshech Weare House is a very old and important house in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire. It was built way back in 1723. This house is special because it was the home of Meshech Weare. He was the very first leader of New Hampshire after it became independent from Great Britain. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
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About the Historic Weare House
The Governor Meshech Weare House is located right in the center of Hampton Falls. You can find it on the north side of Exeter Road, where it meets Lincoln Avenue. It's just west of the First Baptist Church and across the street from a local school. There's even a small park named after Meshech Weare nearby.
What the House Looks Like
This house has two and a half stories and is made of wood. It has a roof that slopes down on the sides and two chimneys inside. The outside is covered with wooden boards called clapboards. The front of the house has five sections, with the main door in the middle. The door has fancy columns on each side and a curved arch above it.
Inside, the house mixes old and new styles. Some parts still have the original wooden panels from when it was built. The house also has parts that stick out from the back. These were added in the 20th century to replace older sections that were destroyed by fires. After a fire in 1957, the back of the main house was made bigger, giving more space to the rooms there.
Who Was Meshech Weare?
The house was built in 1723 and was home to Meshech Weare for many years. Meshech Weare (born in 1713, died in 1786) went to Harvard University. He mostly worked as a farmer until the time of the American Revolution.
Weare's Role in History
Even though he wasn't eager for independence at first, Meshech Weare became a very important leader during the American Revolutionary War. He led New Hampshire's main government committee during the war. In 1784, he became the first "President" of New Hampshire. The title "Governor of New Hampshire" was used later on.
Famous Visitors to the House
Many important people visited Meshech Weare at his home. These famous guests included George Washington, who became the first President of the United States. James Madison, another future U.S. President, also visited. And the Marquis de Lafayette, a French hero who helped America win the war, also came to the house.
