Matthew S. Quay House facts for kids
Matthew S. Quay House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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![]() Streetside view of the Quay House
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Location | 205 College Ave., Beaver, Pennsylvania |
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Area | less than one acre |
Built | c. 1865 |
Part of | Beaver Historic District (ID96001201) |
NRHP reference No. | 75001615 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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Added to NRHP | May 15, 1975 |
Designated NHL | May 15, 1975 |
The Matthew S. Quay House is a special old house located at 205 College Avenue in Beaver, Pennsylvania. It was built after the American Civil War. From 1874 until he passed away in 1904, this house was the home of Matthew Stanley Quay. He was an important United States senator and a very powerful political leader in the late 1800s. In 1975, his house was named a National Historic Landmark, which means it's a really important historical place. Today, the house is used by Covenant Financial Advisors.
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About the Quay House
The Matthew S. Quay House is found just south of downtown Beaver. It sits at the corner of College Avenue and 2nd Street. This building is about two-and-a-half stories tall. It is made of painted brick and has a special type of roof called a hip roof.
A porch stretches across the front of the house. This porch is supported by strong brick columns. Both the porch roof and the main roof have decorative wooden parts called brackets. The main roof also has dormers, which are windows that stick out from the roof. There are also smaller sections of the house that extend out from the main building.
Who Was Matthew Stanley Quay?
Matthew Stanley Quay was born in 1833 and lived until 1904. He was a very important person in American politics during his time. He first trained to be a lawyer. When the American Civil War began, he joined the Union Army. He showed great bravery during the war.
Quay's Military Service
During the Civil War, Matthew Stanley Quay fought in many battles. He was especially brave during the Battle of Fredericksburg. For his actions in this battle, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. This is the highest award a person can receive for military bravery.
Quay's Political Career
Quay started getting involved in politics in the 1850s. He became a strong leader for the Republican Party in western Pennsylvania. He worked with another powerful politician named Simon Cameron. Eventually, Quay became the main leader of the Republican Party in Pennsylvania.
In 1887, he was elected to the United States Senate. As a senator, he helped shape important laws and policies. In 1888, he led the presidential campaign for Benjamin Harrison. This campaign was known for being very expensive for its time. Quay was open about using political connections to help his party. He worked hard to get his chosen candidates elected.