McNeil Homestead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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McNeil Homestead
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Wings Point Rd., Charlotte, Vermont |
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| Area | 7 acres (2.8 ha) |
| Built | 1800 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001700 |
| Added to NRHP | June 17, 1982 |
The McNeil Homestead is a special old property in Charlotte, Vermont. It's connected to a very old ferry service. This place includes a house, a building that used to be a tavern (like an old hotel), and a barn. The McNeil family built these buildings. They were the first people to run the Charlotte-Essex Ferry. This ferry still crosses Lake Champlain today! The McNeil Homestead was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 because of its importance.
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Exploring the McNeil Homestead
The McNeil property sits on Wings Point. This piece of land sticks out into Lake Champlain. It's right next to McNeil's Cove. This cove is where the ferry leaves to go across the lake to Essex, New York.
Buildings at the Homestead
The main buildings at the homestead face south. They look out towards the cove.
- The oldest building is a wooden house built around 1800. It's designed in the "Federal" style, which was popular back then.
- Next to it is a building from 1830. This building used to be a tavern, a place where travelers could eat and stay. It's built in the "Greek Revival" style. Today, this old tavern is also used as a home.
- North of the house, there's a barn. Experts believe this barn was built around 1850.
The McNeil Family Story
The story of the McNeil Homestead begins with John McNeil. He moved to this area in 1787. He came from a town called Tinmouth. John McNeil had faced some problems during the American Revolutionary War. Some people thought he supported the British side.
John McNeil: A Community Leader
Even with his past, John McNeil quickly became an important person in Charlotte. He served in town government. He also worked in the state legislature, helping to make laws for Vermont.
Starting the Ferry Service
In 1790, John McNeil started the first ferry service across Lake Champlain. This was a big deal! It was the first time people could easily cross the lake at this spot. The ferry service was very important for travel and trade. Even today, it's still a key way to get across the lake.
The ferry business made a lot of money in the early 1800s. John McNeil's son built the tavern in 1830. It was built to serve all the people traveling on the ferry.
Changes Over Time
Later, trains became a popular way to move goods. This meant less freight was carried on the ferry. So, the McNeil family started focusing more on farming again. The homestead became more of a farm than a busy ferry stop.
