John Brooks House facts for kids
The John Brooks House is a very old and special house located at 12 Nelson Place in Worcester, Massachusetts. It was built between 1847 and 1856 by a man named John Brooks. He was an important local farmer and also a politician. This house is one of the few 19th-century farmhouses that are still standing in the city today. Because it's so important, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. At that time, it was still owned by John Brooks' family!
Quick facts for kids |
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John Brooks House
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 12 Nelson Pl., Worcester, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1847; 1856 |
| Architectural style | Italianate; Gothic |
| MPS | Worcester MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000516 |
| Added to NRHP | March 05, 1980 |
Contents
What Does the John Brooks House Look Like?
The John Brooks House is in a neighborhood in northern Worcester. It sits on a big piece of land where Nelson Place meets Grove Street. The house is made of wood and has one and a half stories.
Discovering the House's Unique Style
The house has a shape that looks a bit like the letter "T" when you look down from above. Its roofs have pointed ends called gables. On the side facing south, there are three large gables that almost reach the main roof line. These gables have fancy decorations called Italianate brackets.
A covered porch with a sloped roof runs along part of this side of the house. The main entrance is on the far right of this porch. It has a beautifully carved hood above it. The gable end of the main part of the house, which faces Nelson Place, also has these decorative brackets. A simpler part of the house, called an ell, extends to the west. It has a roof that isn't as steep.
Who Was John Brooks?
John Brooks was born in Princeton, Massachusetts, and he was a farmer. He bought the land where the house stands in 1847. It's thought that he built the ell, or the simpler part of the house, by 1851. The main part of the house was added later, by 1856.
John Brooks: Farmer and Community Leader
Besides being a farmer, John Brooks was also involved in local government. He served on Worcester's common council. This is a group of people who help make decisions for the city. He also served in the state legislature, which means he helped make laws for the entire state.
John Brooks was also very active in helping to develop parts of the city. He played a role in the growth of areas like Chadwick Square and Greendale in Worcester.
