Moffatt-Ladd House facts for kids
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Moffatt-Ladd House
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The Moffatt-Ladd House in December 2009
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 154 Market Street, Portsmouth, New Hampshire |
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| Built | 1763 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 68000010 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 24, 1968 |
| Designated NHL | November 24, 1968 |
The Moffatt-Ladd House is a very old and important house in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA. It's also called the William Whipple House. This house was built in 1763. It was the home of William Whipple. He was a very important person in American history. William Whipple helped create the United States. He signed the United States Declaration of Independence. He was also a general during the American Revolutionary War.
Today, the house is a museum. It is owned by the National Society of Colonial Dames in New Hampshire. You can visit it to learn about its history.
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Inside the house, you can see some of William Whipple's things. This includes his sword and a painting of him. Outside, there is a special horse chestnut tree. William Whipple planted this tree in 1776. He brought the seeds back from Philadelphia. The house was named a National Historic Landmark in 1968. This means it is a very important historical place.
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About the Moffatt-Ladd House
The Moffatt-Ladd House is a large, three-story building. It is made of wood and sits on a small hill. From here, you can see the old part of Portsmouth Harbor. The house is almost square, about 42 feet (12.8 meters) on each side. It has a sloped roof.
The outside of the house is covered with wooden boards. The corners have special decorative blocks. There are three chimneys on the sides of the house. The front of the house has five windows across. The windows on the first two floors have curved tops. The third-floor windows are smaller.
The roof has a flat area called a "widow's walk." This area is surrounded by a low fence with decorative urns. These same urns are also on the fence that separates the house from the street. The property also has a small office building. This office was built in 1810.
History of the Moffatt-Ladd House
Who Built the House?
The house was built in 1763 by a man named John Moffatt. He was one of the richest people in New Hampshire at that time. John Moffatt gave the house to his son, Samuel, in 1764. It was a wedding gift for Samuel.
How William Whipple Lived Here
John Moffatt bought the house back from his son in 1768. He then lived there with his daughter, Catherine, and her husband, William Whipple. They lived there until John Moffatt passed away in 1785. After some legal discussions in 1818, the house went to Samuel's family.
In 1819, the house was passed to Maria Tufton Haven Ladd. She was one of Samuel Moffatt's granddaughters.
The Ladd Family and the Gardens
Maria Ladd's son, Alexander Hamilton Ladd, lived in the house until he passed away in 1900. He was the one who created the beautiful gardens around the house. In 1911, his children gave the house to the National Society of Colonial Dames in New Hampshire.
The Moffatt-Ladd House was officially named a National Historic Landmark in 1968. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places. This helps protect its history for everyone to enjoy.
Photo gallery
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1915 postcard
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1905 photo of the Moffatt-Ladd House
See also
