Ida Tarbell House facts for kids
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Ida Tarbell House
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 320 Valley Road, Easton, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Architectural style | Vernacular |
| NRHP reference No. | 93001602 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 19, 1993 |
| Designated NHL | April 19, 1993 |
The Ida Tarbell House is a special historic home located in Easton, Connecticut. This simple farmhouse, which Ida Tarbell called "Twin Oaks," was her home from 1906 until she passed away in 1944. Ida Tarbell was a famous journalist known for her "muckraking" work. This means she bravely investigated and exposed problems in society and big businesses.
She bought the house with money she earned from her important books about the Standard Oil Company. Many of her important writings were created in her study on the first floor of this house. Because of her significant work and connection to the house, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1993. This means it's a place recognized by the United States government as historically important.
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About the Ida Tarbell House
The Tarbell House is a two-story house made of wood. It has a classic look with a sloped roof and wooden siding. There's a brick chimney in the middle. The front door has special windows on the sides and above it, and a small porch with columns.
The house has been made larger over time with several additions. Most of these were built before Ida Tarbell even owned the house. Only one part, a sunroom, was added after she died. The property also has other buildings, like two barns and a small house for a caretaker. These were already there when Tarbell lived at "Twin Oaks."
Who Was Ida Tarbell?
Ida Tarbell was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Her family's business was once threatened by the powerful Standard Oil company. This experience likely influenced her future work. Her parents were involved in the women's rights movement, which encouraged Ida to get a good education and focus on her career instead of getting married.
She became a well-known writer for McClure's magazine. She wrote articles that were very carefully researched. Her most famous work was a series of articles about the Standard Oil Company. These articles were later published as a book called The History of the Standard Oil Company in 1904.
Investigative Journalism Pioneer
Ida Tarbell's way of working was groundbreaking. She would spend hours looking through many documents and interviewing many people. This careful and deep research was one of the first major examples of what we now call investigative journalism. This type of journalism involves digging deep to uncover facts about important issues.
Her detailed reports, along with those of other journalists like Upton Sinclair, helped bring about important changes. President Theodore Roosevelt called these journalists "muckrakers." He meant they were like people who cleaned up dirt, by exposing corruption and problems in society.
Tarbell's Life at "Twin Oaks"
Ida Tarbell bought the property she named "Twin Oaks" in 1906. She used the money she earned from her famous Standard Oil book to buy it. The house became a quiet place for her to escape the busy city. She wrote many important books and articles while living there.
In 1924, she decided to make "Twin Oaks" her full-time retirement home. She lived there until she passed away in 1944 in nearby Bridgeport. The Ida Tarbell House remains an important reminder of her life and her contributions to journalism and American history.
Images for kids
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Ida Tarbell in front of the house (1915)
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Entry and stairwell
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Living room
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Dining room
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Garden
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Farm
