Parson Capen House facts for kids
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Parson Capen House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Parson Capen House
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Topsfield, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 1.1 acres (4,500 m2) |
| Built | 1694 |
| Architectural style | Postmedieval English |
| Part of | Topsfield Town Common District (ID03001488) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000139 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | October 9, 1960 |
| Designated CP | June 7, 1976 |
The Parson Capen House is a very old and special house located in Topsfield, Massachusetts. It was built way back in 1683, which makes it over 340 years old! People love this house because it's a great example of how homes looked in early colonial times. It's also amazing how well it has been kept compared to other houses from the same period.
Contents
History of the Capen House
Who Lived in the House?
The Capen House was built in 1683 on a large piece of land, about 12 acres. It was made to be a parsonage, which is a home for a church minister. The first person to live there was Reverend Joseph Capen. He moved to Topsfield from another town called Dorchester, Massachusetts.
Reverend Capen's wife was not happy with the old parsonage they had seen before. So, this new house was built for them. It was located right next to the Topsfield Common, which was like the town's main square. At the time it was built, many people thought it was the best house in the whole town! The Capen family lived in this house for more than forty years.
A National Treasure
The Parson Capen House is so important that it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1960. This means it's one of the most important historic places in the United States. It is also one of the best-preserved homes from its time period in all of New England.
Today, the Topsfield Historical Society takes care of the house. They run it as a historic house museum. This means you can visit it and see what life was like in a very old home!
Architecture and Design
What Does the House Look Like?
The Capen House was built in a style called "English style architecture." It looks a lot like many old houses you might still see in England today.
One cool feature of the house is its "jetties." These are parts of the upper floor that stick out over the lower floor. You can see them at the front and sides of the house. Some people used to think these overhangs were for protection from Native Americans, but they were mostly for decoration. They also helped shield people from rain.
Inside the House
When you go inside, you'll find a small entrance hallway that leads to the stairs. The house has four main rooms, and each of these rooms has its own fireplace! The ceilings are low, and you can see the wooden beams that support the house.
The house also has special decorations called "pendills." These are carved wooden ornaments that were made by the carpenter who built the house. They add a unique touch to the building's design.
See also
- List of historic houses in Massachusetts
- List of the oldest buildings in Massachusetts
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Essex County, Massachusetts
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Massachusetts
Images for kids
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Parson Capen House
