Governor Wentworth Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governor Wentworth Historic Site |
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| Location | 56 Wentworth Farm Road, Wolfeboro, Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States |
| Area | 96 acres (39 ha) |
| Elevation | 653 feet (199 m) |
| Established | 1934 |
| Administered by | New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation |
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| Website | Governor Wentworth Historic Site |
The Governor Wentworth Historic Site is a special 96-acre (0.39 km2) area in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. It protects the land where an important house once stood. This house belonged to John Wentworth, who was New Hampshire's second Royal Governor. He built his large estate just before the American Revolution began.
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What is the Governor Wentworth Historic Site?
This historic site is a protected area managed by the state of New Hampshire. It's not a park with playgrounds or picnic tables. Instead, it's a place where you can explore history. You can see the stone remains of a very large house and read a special plaque. This plaque tells the story of the governor and his home. The site helps us remember an important time in New Hampshire's past.
Who Was Governor John Wentworth?
John Wentworth was a very important person in New Hampshire's history. He was the last Royal Governor of the colony. This means he was chosen by the King of England to lead New Hampshire. He served from 1767 until 1775. His job was to make sure the colony followed the King's rules. He also helped develop the colony.
Wentworth was born in New Hampshire. He came from a powerful family. He studied at Harvard College. He was known for being a good leader. He tried to improve roads and farming in New Hampshire. He also helped Dartmouth College get started.
A Grand Home in Colonial Times
Governor Wentworth decided to build a huge country estate in Wolfeboro. This was a very big project for its time. The estate was like a large farm or plantation. It had many buildings and a grand mansion. The mansion was built around 1770. It was a fancy home for a governor.
The estate was a place where Wentworth could relax. It was also where he could entertain important guests. He owned a lot of land around the house. This land was used for farming and other activities. The estate showed his wealth and power.
The Mansion's Fate
The American Revolution began in 1775. This was a war between the American colonies and Great Britain. Governor Wentworth was loyal to the King. Because of this, he had to leave New Hampshire. He went to Nova Scotia, Canada. His beautiful mansion was left behind.
Sadly, the mansion did not last forever. It burned down in 1820. Only the stone foundations and some other parts remained. For many years, the land was just a quiet spot.
Visiting the Historic Site Today
The state of New Hampshire bought the property in 1934. They wanted to protect this important historical place. In 2007, the site was added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places. This means it's officially recognized as a place with special historical value.
Today, when you visit the Governor Wentworth Historic Site, you can walk around the 96 acres (39 ha) property. You can see the stone remains of the old mansion. Imagine what the grand house looked like! There is also a plaque that tells more about Governor Wentworth and his home. It's a great place to learn about colonial New Hampshire.
