Josiah Quincy House facts for kids
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Josiah Quincy House
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The Josiah Quincy House, Quincy, Massachusetts
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Quincy, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1770 |
| Architect | Pierce, Deacon Edward |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000285 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 28, 1976 |
| Designated NHL | September 25, 1997 |
The Josiah Quincy House is a historic home located in the Wollaston neighborhood of Quincy, Massachusetts. It was the country home of Colonel Josiah Quincy I. He was an important soldier during the American Revolutionary War. Josiah Quincy I was the first of six men in his family named Josiah Quincy. This famous family included three mayors of Boston and a president of Harvard University.
History
Building the House
Josiah Quincy I inherited the land for his home from his father, Edmund. The Quincy family had owned this land since 1635. Josiah built his large house in 1770. It was on a 200-acre farm called the "Lower Farm." The house was surrounded by fields and pastures. It also overlooked Quincy Bay.
The house has a special roof style called a hipped monitor roof. This is the oldest known example of this roof style from the original American colonies. The house also features a beautiful Chinese fretwork railing and a classical front porch. The attic of the house has four small rooms. These rooms were for servants. One of them even has a fireplace.
A Spy's View
During the American Revolution, Josiah Quincy I helped General George Washington. He watched the British ships in Boston Harbor from his attic windows. He even scratched a message on a glass pane in the attic. It said, "October 10, 1775 Governor Gage saild for England with a fair wind." This special glass pane is still there today. You can see it in the front hall of the house.
Protecting History
In 1895, the house and some nearby properties were sold to Frank E. Hall. Later, in 1937, Edward R. Hall arranged for the Josiah Quincy House to be given to the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. This group works to protect old buildings.
Today, the house is owned by Historic New England. This is a non-profit group that cares for historical places. The Josiah Quincy House is open to visitors a few times a year. You can also visit by making a special appointment. In 1997, the house was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important place in American history. It was recognized for its special architecture and its connection to the famous Quincy family.
See also
- Josiah Quincy Mansion
- Dorothy Quincy House
- Quincy family
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Massachusetts
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Quincy, Massachusetts
