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Henry House (Suamico, Wisconsin) facts for kids

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Henry House
Henry House (Weed Mill Inn) 2016-11-20.jpg
Henry House
Location 1749 Riverside Dr., Suamico, Wisconsin
Area 0.4 acres (0.16 ha)
Built c.1869
NRHP reference No. 80000108
Added to NRHP January 31, 1980

The Henry House in Suamico, Wisconsin is a very old and important building. It comes from a time called the "lumber era" in local history. This was when cutting down trees and processing wood was a huge business. The Henry House is special because it seems to be the only building left from that time in its area.

Discovering the Historic Henry House

The Henry House was built around 1869 by the Weed Brothers. It was a simple building with a "side-gabled" roof, meaning the triangular part of the roof is on the side. It was used as a boarding house, which is like a hotel where people could rent a room for a longer time. Many workers from the lumber mills lived there. The house was also known as the Weed Mill Inn.

Unique Design and Survival

What made the Henry House special inside was its walls and ceilings. They were made using a style called board and batten. This means wide boards were placed side-by-side, and then thinner strips of wood, called battens, covered the gaps between them. This gave the interior a unique look.

In 1871, a huge and terrible fire, known as the Peshtigo Fire, swept through the region. This fire was one of the worst in American history. Even though the Henry House was near the path of this massive fire, it managed to survive. This shows how well it was built and how lucky it was.

Moving and Preserving History

Many years later, in 1972, a couple named Jerry and Pat Henry bought the house. They were very interested in saving old buildings. They carefully moved the Henry House to its current spot. Moving an entire house is a big and difficult job! The Henrys did this with other old buildings too, creating a special area known as 'Historic Vickery Village' or 'The Shoppes at Vickery Village'. They helped save many pieces of history.

A Recognized Landmark

Because of its age and importance, the Henry House has been officially recognized as a historic place. In 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history. Being on this list helps protect the building and makes sure its story can be told for many years to come. Later, in 1989, it was also listed on the State Register of Historic Places for Wisconsin.

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