Joseph Webb House facts for kids
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Joseph Webb House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Joseph Webb House in 2009
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 211 Main Street, Wethersfield, Connecticut |
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| Built | 1752 |
| Architect | Joseph Webb, Sr. |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Part of | Old Wethersfield Historic District (ID70000719) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000885 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | January 20, 1961 |
| Designated CP | December 29, 1970 |
The Joseph Webb House is a very old and important house in Wethersfield, Connecticut. It's famous because George Washington, a key leader in the American Revolutionary War, met with French General Rochambeau here in 1781. They planned a big battle called the Siege of Yorktown, which was the last major fight of the war. Today, the Joseph Webb House is part of the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum and looks much like it did in the 1700s. It is a special place known as a National Historic Landmark.
Contents
History of the Webb House
Building a Home in 1752
The Joseph Webb House was built in 1752 for a successful merchant named Joseph Webb. He traded goods with places like the West Indies. The house was designed with a special roof called a gambrel roof, which gave it extra space inside. Joseph Webb and his wife, Mehitabel Nott, had six children. Sadly, Joseph Webb passed away when he was only 34.
His friend, Silas Deane, helped Mrs. Webb and her family. Later, Silas Deane married Mehitabel and built his own house right next door. Joseph Webb Jr., who was 12 when his father died, later inherited the house.
"Hospitality Hall" and Washington's Visit
Joseph Webb Jr. also became a successful merchant. In 1774, he married Abigail Chester, and they continued to live in the house. They were known for being great hosts, and their home was even nicknamed "Hospitality Hall."
The house became very famous because George Washington stayed there for five nights. During his visit, he met with French General Comte de Rochambeau. Together, they made important plans for the Siege of Yorktown. Some people believe that special red wallpaper was put up in Washington's bedroom just before he arrived.
New Owners and Changes
Joseph Webb Jr. sold the house in 1790. Over the years, it had a few different owners. Around 1820, Judge Martin Welles bought the house. He updated the southern part of the property. The house stayed in the Welles family until 1913.
After that, a group of business people bought it. They wanted to turn it into a public library, but they didn't have enough money. So, in 1916, they sold it to a man named Wallace Nutting.
Wallace Nutting's Vision
A "Colonial Picture House"
Wallace Nutting was a collector of old things and a photographer. He bought the Joseph Webb House in 1916. Nutting wanted the house to be part of his "Chain of Colonial Picture Houses." These were important historic places in New England that he used to show off old American styles and sell his photos and furniture. He even had special paintings, called murals, added to the main rooms and hallway.
Opening to the Public
The Webb House opened to the public on July 4, 1916, and people could visit for 25 cents. However, when the United States joined World War I, it became harder for people to travel. This affected Nutting's business.
In 1919, Nutting sold the house to The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Connecticut. This group then opened the house as a historic museum for everyone to enjoy.
The Colonial Dames and Preservation
Restoring the House's Original Look
The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, along with experts, worked to restore the house. They wanted it to look like it did before Wallace Nutting made his changes. They covered up the murals Nutting had added with new wallpaper that looked like the original style.
Honoring All Its History
Later, in 1996, the Dames decided to also show Wallace Nutting's part in the house's history. They removed some of the wallpaper to reveal one of Nutting's murals. Now, there is an exhibit in the house that shows how Wallace Nutting influenced its story.
The Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum offers tours of the Joseph Webb House from April through November. If you want to visit between January and March, you need to make an appointment. The house was officially recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1961. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.
See also
