Meigs-Bishop House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Meigs–Bishop House
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 45 Wall St., Madison, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1690 |
| Architectural style | One-room plan |
| NRHP reference No. | 88000745 |
| Added to NRHP | June 16, 1988 |
The Meigs–Bishop House is a very old and special house located at 45 Wall Street in Madison, Connecticut. It was built a long, long time ago, around the year 1690! This makes it one of the oldest buildings still standing in Madison. In 1988, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site. Today, it's no longer a home, but it's used for businesses.
Contents
Discovering the Meigs–Bishop House
The Meigs–Bishop House is in the middle of Madison's main business area. You can find it on the west side of Wall Street, near Brookside Road. It's a two-and-a-half-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof and a big chimney in the middle. The outside is covered with wooden boards called clapboard.
What the House Looks Like
The front of the house has five window sections. The windows are placed a little unevenly around the front door, which is almost in the center. The front door has a simple frame. Above the door, there's a window with six small panes of glass. This window has a decorative top called crown molding.
Inside the Old House
When you go inside, you can see some original features. The floorboards are wide, and you can see the wooden posts and beams in the front rooms. These parts show how the house was built long ago. The fireplaces in these rooms were changed later, so they don't look exactly like they did in the 1600s.
A Glimpse into History
The Meigs–Bishop House wasn't built all at once. It was built in different stages over many years. The oldest part of the house was built around 1690. This first part had three sections.
How the House Grew
In the early 1700s, another section was added to the house. Around 1725, a back lean-to was built. This made the house look like a "saltbox" house, which was a popular style back then. More parts were added to the house in the late 1800s. People believe this house is the second oldest in Madison.
Important People Who Lived Here
The first person to build the house was Janna Meigs. He was an important person who represented Guilford in the colonial assembly. This was like being a representative in the government back when Connecticut was a colony.
Later, the house belonged to Phineas Meigs. He was a soldier who fought in the American Revolutionary War. Sadly, he was killed while defending the area from a British attack during the war.
Modern Use of the House
In the 1900s, the Meigs–Bishop House was changed. It stopped being a family home and started being used for businesses. This is how it is still used today.
