Josiah Day House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Josiah Day House
|
|
Josiah Day House, West Springfield, Massachusetts
|
|
| Location | 70 Park St., West Springfield, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | ca. 1754 |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000265 |
| Added to NRHP | April 16, 1975 |
.jpg)
The Josiah Day House is a really old and special house in West Springfield, Massachusetts. It's like a museum where you can learn about history! Built around 1754, people believe it's the oldest brick house in the United States built in a style called "saltbox." This house is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Today, a local history group owns it, and sometimes you can even take a tour inside!
Contents
What Does the Josiah Day House Look Like?
The Josiah Day House is a two-and-a-half-story building made of brick. It faces south towards the town common, a big open grassy area. The house has a unique roof shape that slopes down very far in the back. This is what gives it the "saltbox" look, like an old wooden salt container.
A large chimney stands tall in the middle of the house. The front of the house has three windows and a door right in the center. There's also a smaller wooden part added to the back of the house. Inside, the house has a classic old layout. There are rooms on either side of the big chimney, and a large kitchen area behind it.
The History of the Day Family Home
The story of the Josiah Day House begins in 1746. That's when Josiah Day bought the land where the house now stands. By 1754, the house was built and became the home for Josiah and his family. This special house stayed in the Day family for many generations.
The last family member to live there was Lydia Day, who passed away in 1902. After she died, the remaining Day family members sold the house. It was bought by the Ramapogue Historical Society in 1903. This group wanted to protect and preserve the house.
Changes Over Time
The main part of the house has stayed mostly the same since it was built. However, a new section was added to the back of the house in 1812. This was built to make more space for Aaron Day II, who was Josiah's grandson. Aaron II and his family moved in with his parents and used this new part of the house.
A House Museum Today
Since the Ramapogue Historical Society bought the house in 1903, they have worked hard to keep it in its original condition. They want visitors to see what life was like long ago. You can often take tours of the house on special town days or holidays.
Inside the house, you'll find many items from the time period when the Day family lived there. Some of these are even original items that belonged to the Day family! You might see a tall chest of drawers called a "high boy" or an old writing desk.
The Josiah Day House is very important to history. It was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. It is also the oldest brick building in all of Hampden County.
Learn More About Old Houses
- Saltbox house
- List of historic houses in Massachusetts
- List of the oldest buildings in Massachusetts
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Hampden County, Massachusetts
