Matthew Harvey House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Matthew Harvey House
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | west side of Harvey Rd., 0.25 mi. north of junction with Keyser St., Sutton, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1784 |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001082 |
| Added to NRHP | September 4, 1992 |
The Matthew Harvey House is a historic home in North Sutton, New Hampshire. Today, it is the main attraction of Muster Field Farm, a special kind of museum that is also a working farm. The house was built in 1784 and is a great example of the Federal style of building. It was once home to a family that was very important in politics. Because of its history, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
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History of the House and Farm
The story of the house begins with Matthew Harvey, who settled the land in 1772. He built this beautiful home in 1784. From this house, he also ran a tavern, which was a popular meeting spot for travelers and locals. When he passed away in 1799, he owned more land than anyone else in town.
The Politically Powerful Harvey Family
After Matthew Harvey's death, his oldest son, Jonathan, lived in the house. Both Jonathan and his younger brother Matthew Harvey became important politicians. They served in the New Hampshire legislature, where they helped make laws for the state. They also served in the United States Congress, helping to lead the entire country.
In 1820, the brothers were two of the most powerful leaders in New Hampshire. Jonathan was the President of the New Hampshire Senate, while Matthew was the Speaker of the House.
What Were the Military Musters?
The farm gets its name, Muster Field Farm, from the military events that happened there between 1787 and 1851. These events were called musters.
Musters were a big deal back then. Hundreds of soldiers from the local regiment would gather to be inspected. Many brought their families, and sellers and musicians would also come. This turned the serious military event into a fun festival, like a country fair. During these musters, the officers would be entertained in the ballroom of the Matthew Harvey House.
Becoming a Museum
The house stayed in the Harvey family for eight generations. In 1941, the Bristol family bought the property. Robert S. Bristol wanted to protect the historic home for the future. He created the Muster Field Farm Museum but made one important rule: the property must always continue to be a working farm.
Architecture and Design
The Matthew Harvey House is a two-and-a-half-story wooden house located in a country setting in northern Sutton. It sits on a ridge, offering great views of the farm fields around it.
The house is a great example of the Federal style. The front of the house has five rows of windows and a door in the center. The front door is framed by special windows and decorative pillars. The windows have delicate wooden trim, which was a popular feature of the Federal style.
The house is built so strongly that some people think an expert builder, who usually made big buildings like churches, might have constructed it. It's possible that Matthew Harvey's cousin, John, who was known for building large structures, was the one who built this impressive home.
See also
