Joshua Hempsted House facts for kids
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Joshua Hempsted House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 11 Hempstead St., New London, Connecticut |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | c. 1678 |
| Architect | Hempsted, Joshua |
| Architectural style | First Period |
| Part of | Hempstead Historic District (ID86002112) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000701 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1970 |
| Designated CP | July 31, 1986 |
The Joshua Hempsted House is a really old and special house in New London, Connecticut. It was built around 1678, making it one of the oldest buildings still standing in Connecticut! This house is like a time capsule. It shows us how people built homes long ago.
Today, it's a museum where you can learn about history. It's part of the Hempsted Houses museum complex. This includes the Joshua Hempsted House and the nearby 1759 Nathaniel Hempstead House. These houses have been carefully restored. They look like they did in the late 1600s and mid-1700s. The Joshua Hempsted House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
What Does the House Look Like?
The Hempsted House is located in New London. It's a two-and-a-half-story wooden house. It has a roof that slopes down on two sides. There are also two gables (pointed roof sections) facing the front.
One of the gables sticks out more than usual. This creates a small entry area on the first floor. The windows are narrow. They have small, diamond-shaped glass panes. Inside, you can see the wooden beams and frames. These show how old the building is.
A Glimpse into History
The oldest part of the house was originally three sections wide. It was a typical one-room house. It had a chimney at one end. Experts believe it was built around 1678. It was likely built by Joshua Hempstead, the father of a famous local diarist (someone who kept a daily journal).
This house is one of Connecticut's oldest buildings. It has always been important for its architecture and history. Famous historians like Norman Isham and Frederick Kelly studied it. They were early experts on old buildings in the area.
The house is said to have survived the 1780 Battle of Groton Heights. During this battle, much of New London was destroyed. But the Hempsted family had prepared a big meal for a family reunion. British soldiers supposedly took the food instead of burning the house.
Later, the house was used as a safe place. It was part of the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped people escape to freedom. The house stayed in the Hempstead family until 1937. Then, an organization called Connecticut Landmarks bought it. They now run it as a museum.
See Also
