Hancock House (Ticonderoga, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hancock House
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Hancock House, Ticonderoga (rear view)
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Montcalm and Wicker Sts., Ticonderoga, New York |
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| Area | 1.4 acres (0.57 ha) |
| Built | 1925–1926 |
| Built by | Edward F. Minor |
| Architect | Max H. Westhoff |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Georgian Revival |
| MPS | Ticonderoga MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 88002197 |
| Added to NRHP | November 15, 1988 |
The Hancock House is a special building in Ticonderoga, New York. It is a copy, or replica, of an old mansion called the Hancock Manor. That original house was in Boston and belonged to Thomas Hancock. He was the uncle of John Hancock, a very important person known as a Founding Father of the United States.
The Hancock House was built between 1925 and 1926. A kind person named Horace A. Moses paid for it. He wanted it to be a place where people could learn about American history and art. The building is made of granite and has a style called Georgian Revival. It has a special roof made of slate. In 1988, the Hancock House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site that should be protected.
Contents
The Story of Hancock House
Horace Augustus Moses, who was born in Ticonderoga, became very rich by owning paper mills. Even with his wealth, he gave a lot of money to help his hometown. He supported many projects, including the local hospital and a community building.
One of his biggest dreams was to create a museum and library in Ticonderoga. He wanted it to be a place where everyone could learn about the area's rich history. This dream came true with the Hancock House.
A Museum for History Enthusiasts
The Hancock House Museum and Research Library opened in 1926. Today, the Ticonderoga Historical Society takes care of the building. It works as a museum for the region and a library for research.
You can find many interesting exhibits inside the Hancock House. The library has a large collection of materials about local history. It also has many resources for people who want to research their family history.
Building a Replica Home
The original Hancock Manor in Boston was torn down in 1863. Luckily, drawings of the old house were made before it was destroyed. The Hancock House in Ticonderoga was built using these drawings. It was made from the same type of stone as the original house.
The main hall, the stairway, and two rooms on the right side of the hall are exact copies of those in the original Hancock Manor. This means you can see what a part of the original house looked like, even though it's gone.
Research and Collections
The museum focuses on the history of Ticonderoga. It has a large collection of photographs, old papers, artifacts, and books. These items help tell the story of the area.
What You Can Find in the Library
The library is a great place for research. It has information about local history and family trees. For example, you can find old census records and newspaper articles.
The library has about seven thousand books. Most of these books are about the history of New York State. They especially focus on the areas around Lake Champlain, Lake George, and the Adirondack Mountains.
Some of the materials available include:
- Old editions of the Ticonderoga Sentinel newspaper from 1874 to 1982 (on microfilm).
- Census records for Vermont and Essex County, New York (on microfilm).
- New York State Federal Census records from 1790 to 1820 (on microfilm).
- Records of births, deaths, and marriages for Vermont from 1760 to 1870 (on microfilm).
- Cemetery records for Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and Schroon Lake.
Gallery
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Hancock House, front view, December 2011
