James Blake House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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James Blake House
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 Location in Massachusetts
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| Location | Boston, MA |
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| Built | 1661 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002350 |
| Added to NRHP | May 1, 1974 |
The James Blake House is the oldest house still standing in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was built way back in 1661. Scientists confirmed its age in 2007 using a cool method called dendrochronology. This method looks at tree rings in the wood to figure out how old it is!
You can find the house at 735 Columbia Road, in Edward Everett Square. It's just a block away from Massachusetts Avenue. The Dorchester Historical Society now owns this historic building. You can even take tours on the third Sunday of each month.
History of the James Blake House
The James Blake House was built by James Blake. He was an immigrant who came from England. The house was built in an old style of architecture from Western England.
The Blake family owned this house for a very long time, until 1825. After that, the Williams family took over. In 1891, the City of Boston bought the house.
Saving the Historic House
In 1896, the house was almost torn down! But the Dorchester Historical Society stepped in to save it. They bought the house from the city. Then, they carefully moved it less than 500 feet from its first spot to where it stands today.
In 1978, the inside and outside of the house were officially named a Boston Landmark. This means it's recognized as a very important historical place in Boston.
The area around the house, and the house itself, have been getting a lot of care. They are being fixed up and protected for the future. For example, the house got new shingles, and the grounds around it were improved.
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Exterior, 1898
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"Ye Olde Blake House," 1920
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Interior
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Edward A. Huebner brick collection
See also
- List of the oldest buildings in Massachusetts
- National Register of Historic Places listings in southern Boston, Massachusetts
