Milldean and Alexander-Davis House facts for kids
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Milldean and Alexander-Davis House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Milldean
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main St. near town center, Grafton, Vermont |
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| Area | 2.7 acres (1.1 ha) |
| Built | 1826 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
| Part of | Grafton Village Historic District (ID10000171) |
| NRHP reference No. | 90000815 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 24, 1990 |
| Designated CP | April 7, 2010 |
The Milldean and Alexander-Davis House are two very old and important homes in Grafton, Vermont. They are also known by their old names, Eaglebrook and the Eagle Hotel. These houses were built a long time ago, around 1826 and 1831. They are special because they show a mix of two old building styles: Federal and Greek Revival. It's rare to see houses like these made of brick in Vermont.
These homes are also important because of their connection to Grafton's textile trade. This was a big business in the mid-1800s, where cloth was made. In 1990, both houses were added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized as important historical places in the United States.
Discovering These Historic Homes
The Milldean and Alexander-Davis Houses are right in the middle of Grafton Village. You can find them across from the Grafton Grocery Market. Both houses have a triangular wall, called a gable, facing the street. They also have parts added on that stretch north, towards the Saxtons River.
These homes were built for Peter Dean and Lucius Alexander. They owned a textile mill together. This mill was located on the riverbank, just north of the Milldean house. Both houses originally had a "side-hall plan." This means the main entrance was on one side, leading to a hallway. They also had many design details from the Federal style.
The Alexander-Davis House Story
The Alexander-Davis House was the first of the two to be built, around 1826. It has been changed the most over time. Today, it has five sections across the front and a two-story porch. These changes happened in 1840 when it became a hotel.
The original part of the house is the left three sections. Its bricks are laid in a pattern called "six-course American bond." The newer right two sections use a "seven-course American bond" pattern. The main door is now in the middle. It has a slightly curved arch above it, with narrow windows on the sides. Inside, you can find special artwork on the walls. This art was created by a traveling artist named Moses Eaton, Jr..
Exploring Milldean House
Milldean was built a little later, around 1831. When it was first built, it looked almost exactly like the Alexander-Davis House. It has three sections across its front. The main door is on the far right, just like the other house's door was originally placed.
The inside of Milldean still looks much like it did when it was first built. Some changes and updates were made in the 1980s. Wooden additions extend from the back of the house. These connect it to a newer building used for carriages.
