Harvard House facts for kids
Harvard House is a historic building located at 26 High Street in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. It was built in 1596 by Thomas Rogers. He was the grandfather of John Harvard, who helped start Harvard University in the United States. The house was built after big fires in 1594 and 1595 destroyed much of the town. This special house was once called the Ancient House. Since 1990, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has looked after it for Harvard University.
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History of Harvard House
The initials of Thomas Rogers and his second wife, Alice, are carved on the front of the house. You can also see the year 1596 there. This shows it was a separate house, even though Thomas Rogers also owned the buildings next door.
Who Was Thomas Rogers?
Thomas Rogers was about 60 years old when he built the house. He was a very successful butcher and also traded in corn and cattle. He worked as an Alderman for the Stratford Corporation. This means he was a local official, just like William Shakespeare's father, John Shakespeare.
Passing Down the House
When Thomas Rogers passed away in 1611, he left the house to his oldest son from his second marriage, who was also named Thomas. This younger Thomas was a maltster. A maltster makes malt, which is an important ingredient for brewing beer.
Thomas the maltster died in 1639. The house then went to his son, Edward Rogers, who worked as a bookbinder.
New Owners and Uses
In the mid-1600s, Edward Rogers sold the house to John Capp, a blacksmith. The Capp family continued to run their blacksmith business there until about 1725. After that, the house was rented out to many different people.
In the early 1730s and 1760s, booksellers used the house. A plumber worked there from 1734 to 1747. Then, from 1782 to 1801, several ironmongers used the building. Ironmongers sell metal goods and tools.
Later, tailors named Thomas and Harvey Williams had their business there until 1871. After them, the building became an estate agent's office.
How it Became Harvard House
In 1909, an American millionaire named Edward Morris from Chicago bought the house. He was encouraged by the English writer Marie Corelli, who lived in Stratford-upon-Avon.
After a lot of repair work, Edward Morris gave the house to Harvard University. That's when it became known as Harvard House.
See also
- Garrick Inn, 25 High Street, Stratford-upon-Avon
