Lewis Kemp House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lewis Kemp House
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View of the house from the west
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 4800 Burkhardt Ave., Dayton, Ohio |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1806 |
| Architectural style | Saltbox |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001502 |
| Added to NRHP | January 23, 1975 |
The Lewis Kemp House is a very old farm home in Dayton, Ohio, United States. It was built for Lewis Kemp, one of the first people to live in that area. This house was an important meeting place for religious groups in its early years.
Over time, the house grew bigger and changed its look. Even though it's now surrounded by much newer homes, the Lewis Kemp House is the oldest house still standing in Dayton. It has been recognized as a special historic site.
Who Was Lewis Kemp?
In 1805, a large group of people moved from Frederick County, Maryland to an area called Mad River Township. Lewis Kemp was one of these ninety-six people. He bought land in the middle and southwestern parts of the township.
Over the next few years, Lewis Kemp gave away some of his land. In 1815, he gave a piece of land to local school leaders. This land was used to build a schoolhouse. He also gave one acre of land for a cemetery in the same year.
Lewis Kemp continued to live on his farm until he passed away at 88 years old. He was a very active member of the United Brethren Church. Starting in 1810, a minister named Christian Newcomer would hold church meetings right on Kemp's farm whenever he visited Dayton.
The House's Design and History
The Lewis Kemp House is built from brick and limestone. It has a strong stone base, called a foundation. The roof is made of asphalt, and other parts of the house use wood and stone.
The first part of the house was built in 1806. This was soon after Lewis Kemp and his family arrived at their new farm. The brick section of the house was added later, around 1832.
The house is built in a style called a saltbox. This style is known for its unique shape. A saltbox house often has a long, sloping roof at the back.
Protecting This Historic Home
Today, the Lewis Kemp House is located in a suburban neighborhood. It sits where Burkhardt Avenue meets Meyers Avenue in Dayton. Some nearby properties are actually within the city limits of Riverside.
Because it is the oldest house in Dayton, the Lewis Kemp House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in early 1975. It earned this special recognition for two reasons. First, its unique architecture was important. Second, it was the home of a very important local citizen.
When it was first listed, the Lewis Kemp House was one of only 11 such places in Dayton. Now, Dayton's list of historic places includes over 100 different locations.
