Nichols House (East Barre, Vermont) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Nichols House
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Little John Rd. at Waterman Rd., East Barre, Vermont |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1799 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Cape Cod |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000247 |
| Added to NRHP | January 31, 1978 |
The Nichols House is a really old and important house in Barre, Vermont. You can find it where Little John and Waterman Roads meet. This house was built way back in 1799. It's one of the oldest buildings still standing in the Barre area! One of the very first settlers in the town built it. Because it's so special, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Discovering the Nichols House
The Nichols House is located in a quiet, country part of eastern Barre. It sits on the northern corner of a four-way intersection. This crossing includes Little John, Waterman, Donahue, and Lowery Roads. The front of the house faces southwest, looking towards Little John Road.
What the House Looks Like
The house is a one-and-a-half-story building. It is made of wood and has a classic Cape-style design. The roof is sloped on two sides, which is called a gabled roof. It also has a chimney right in the middle of the house. The outside walls are covered with clapboards, which are long, thin boards.
The main front of the house has three sections. The front door is in the middle. On either side of the door are windows that can slide up and down. The wood trim around the doors and windows is very simple. A cool feature is the small window above the front door. This window has four glass panes and lets light into the entryway. A newer addition, also one-and-a-half stories tall, extends from the right side of the house.
Who Built the Nichols House?
Thomas Nichols moved to the Barre area in 1799. He came with his family from Worcester, Massachusetts. Soon after arriving, he built this very house. Sadly, Thomas Nichols passed away the next year. His seventeen-year-old son then became the head of the family. The Nichols family owned this house for a very long time. They kept it in their family until at least the late 1800s.
This house is very special because it's a rare example of an early American home. It was built before the popular Greek Revival style became common. This makes it a unique piece of history in the Barre-Montpelier area.
