James Gleason Cottage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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James Gleason Cottage
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Location | 31 Sayles St., Southbridge, Massachusetts |
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Area | less than one acre |
Built | 1830 |
Architectural style | Greek Revival, Gothic |
MPS | Southbridge MRA |
NRHP reference No. | 89000533 |
Added to NRHP | June 22, 1989 |
The James Gleason Cottage is a very old house located at 31 Sayles Street in Southbridge, Massachusetts. It was built around 1830 for a local businessman. This house is special because it's a rare example of a building that mixes two old styles: Greek Revival and Gothic Revival. Because of its unique design and history, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
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What is the James Gleason Cottage?
The James Gleason Cottage is found in the Globe Village area of Southbridge. It sits on the east side of Sayles Street, close to Ash Street. This house is a small, one-and-a-half story building made of wood. It has a roof that slopes steeply to a point, and its outside walls are covered with overlapping wooden boards called clapboards.
A Look at Its Unique Style
The front of the house has three sections. It's built in the Greek Revival style, which means it looks a bit like ancient Greek temples. It has flat, column-like decorations (called pilasters) on the corners and around the front door.
Greek Revival and Gothic Touches
A porch goes all the way across the front and down the right side. It has square posts with decorative brackets and a fancy railing. The triangular part of the roof at the front has a big porch set back into it. The top of this porch looks like a pointed arch, which is a common shape in Gothic style. On the right side, there's a window that sticks out from the roof (called a dormer). Also, a part of the house extends backward in an 'L' shape.
A House on the Move: Its History
The James Gleason Cottage is special because it mixes two old building styles: Greek Revival and Gothic Revival. You don't see many houses like this in the area! It was built around 1830, probably for James Gleason. He owned a busy grocery store in the Globe Village part of Southbridge.
Why is it Important?
The house wasn't always in this exact spot! It used to be closer to the corner of Main and Sayles Street. It was moved to where it is now around the year 1900. Today, it's mostly surrounded by parking lots for a nearby medical center. Its unique architecture makes it an important part of local history.