John Rider House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
John Rider House
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
West (front) elevation and south profile, 2007
|
|
| Location | Danbury, CT |
|---|---|
| Area | 1.3 acres (0.53 ha) |
| Built | 1785 |
| Architect | John Rider |
| Part of | Main Street Historic District |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001388 |
| Added to NRHP | November 23, 1977 |
The John Rider House is an old wooden house in Danbury, Connecticut. It was built a long time ago, in 1785. This makes it one of the oldest buildings in the city.
The Rider family owned the house until 1925. In the 1940s, people saved it from being torn down. This helped start efforts to protect old buildings in Danbury. Today, it is home to the Danbury Museum and Historical Society. It's the oldest house in Danbury still in its first spot!
In 1977, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important historical places in the U.S. Later, it became a key part of the Main Street Historic District because it was the oldest building there.
About the House
The John Rider House is on the east side of Main Street. It sits on a lot that is about 1.25 acres. Behind the house is the John Dodd Shop, built in 1836. This is Danbury's oldest commercial building. Large trees hide it from view.
The area around the house is busy, with other buildings and streets. There are old houses across the street. To the south are large apartment buildings. Commercial buildings are to the north.
What the House Looks Like
The house is made of wood and has two and a half stories. It has a stone foundation. The outside walls are covered with overlapping wooden boards called clapboard. Two brick chimneys stick out from the roof.
The roof is steep and has a pointed shape called a gable. The house looks simple and does not have many fancy decorations. A small lean-to section is at the back of the house.
Inside the House
The front door is in the middle of the house. It opens into a central hallway. This hall divides two large rooms at the front of the house. These rooms go all the way back to the kitchen.
There is another room behind the kitchen. Most of the wooden parts inside the house are original. The brick fireplaces have special moldings around them.
Two sets of stairs lead up to the second floor. The fireplaces in the bedrooms are smaller and simpler. In the attic, you can see the wooden frame of the roof. There are also two more fireplaces in the cellar.
History of the House
John Rider, a local carpenter, built the house in 1785. He was a captain in the state militia during the American Revolutionary War. The house stayed in his family for many years, until 1925.
By 1941, the house was in bad shape. It was going to be torn down to build a gas station. But people who wanted to save old buildings stepped in. They saved the house.
The John Rider House became the first building owned by the Danbury Museum and Historical Society. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
Today, the society runs the house as a museum. It was closed for a while for big repairs in the mid-2000s. Now, it is open again for visitors to explore.
See also
