Loring–Greenough House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Loring–Greenough House
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South and west facades
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 Location in Massachusetts
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| Location | 12 South St., Boston, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 1.8 acres (0.73 ha) |
| Built | 1760 |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000544 |
| Added to NRHP | April 26, 1972 |
The Loring–Greenough House is a very old and special house in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. This area is a neighborhood of Boston. It's the only house left from the 1700s in a historic part called Sumner Hill. You can find it at 12 South Street, right on Monument Square. It sits between two important historic areas: Sumner Hill and Monument Square.
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A House with a Long History
The Loring–Greenough House was built in 1760. It was designed in the Georgian style, which was popular back then. A rich British naval officer named Commodore Joshua Loring had it built as his country home and farm. The house was originally part of a huge 80-acre estate.
The American Revolution and New Owners
Joshua Loring was a Loyalist, meaning he supported the British during the American Revolution. He left the house in 1774, just before the war started. In 1776, he fled Boston completely. The house was then taken over by the American colonial forces.
During the war, the house served as a headquarters for General Nathanael Greene. Soon after, it became a hospital for Continental Army soldiers. These soldiers had been injured in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
In 1780, the house was sold to Isaac Sears, a rebel leader from New York. Then, in 1784, a wealthy widow named Ann Doane bought it. She later married David Stoddard Greenough.
The Greenough Family and Preservation
The Greenough family lived in the house for five generations! This means many members of the family lived there for a very long time. By the late 1850s, parts of the large estate began to be divided and sold.
The Greenough family owned the house until 1924. At that time, a group called the Jamaica Plain Tuesday Club bought it. They also bought almost two acres of the beautiful grounds around the house. Their goal was to save the house from being torn down for new buildings. The Tuesday Club is now a community group that works to preserve this historic home.
Exploring the Loring–Greenough House Today
The Loring–Greenough House is very well preserved. It's a large house, about 4,500 square feet. The property includes lovely lawns, old-fashioned flower beds, and many handsome trees. A fence and gate surround the property.
You can visit the grounds during the day. The Tuesday Club also hosts many events inside and outside the house throughout the year. They have worked hard for decades to keep the house and grounds in great condition. A recent project involved painting and other repairs, thanks to a large grant.
The Tuesday Club still owns and manages the Loring–Greenough House. They offer tours on Sundays and other special programs. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was also named a Massachusetts Landmark and a Boston Landmark in 1999.
Images for kids
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East facade
See also
