Governor John S. Barry House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Gov. John S. Barry House
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 280 N. Washington St., Constantine, Michigan |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1835 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001308 |
| Added to NRHP | March 16, 1972 |
The Governor John S. Barry House is a historic home located at 280 N. Washington Street in Constantine, Michigan. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Today, this special building is home to the Governor John S. Barry Museum. It helps us learn about Michigan's past.
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A Home with History
Who Was Governor John S. Barry?
John S. Barry was born in 1802 in New England. He received his education there. Before moving to Michigan, he worked for Vermont's governor. He was also a captain in the local army and practiced law.
In 1831, John S. Barry moved to White Pigeon, Michigan. Three years later, he moved to Constantine. In 1835, he bought this property and built his house.
Barry's Time in Politics
While living in Constantine, John S. Barry became very involved in politics. In 1835, he helped write Michigan's first constitution. He then served as a state senator in 1837.
He was elected governor of Michigan two times. He served from 1841 to 1844 and again from 1849 to 1850. After 1852, he stopped working in politics. He then ran a large store. Governor Barry sold this house in 1847.
The House Becomes a Museum
Over the years, many different people owned the house. By the mid-1900s, it was empty and starting to fall apart. The Governor Barry Historical Society stepped in to save it.
They bought the house in the late 1960s. They worked hard to turn it into a museum. Since 2017, the building has continued to be the Governor John S. Barry Museum. It teaches visitors about Governor Barry and the history of the area.
What Does the House Look Like?
The Barry House is a two-story building. It is made of wood and painted white. The house sits on a strong stone foundation. It is about 24 feet wide and 76 feet long.
The windows have two parts that slide up and down. They have green shutters on the outside. The front door has narrow windows on each side. It opens into a large hallway. The first floor has seven rooms, including two big living rooms. The second floor has five rooms.
