Peter Tufts House facts for kids
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Peter Tufts House
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Peter Tufts House, Medford, Massachusetts
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 350 Riverside Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1677–1680 |
| Architect | Capt. Peter Tufts |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 68000044 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 24, 1968 |
| Designated NHL | November 24, 1968 |
The Peter Tufts House is a very old house in Medford, Massachusetts. It was built a long time ago, around 1677 or 1678. For many years, people thought it was the oldest brick house in the United States. But now we know that Bacon's Castle in Virginia is actually older. This house is a great example of a home from Colonial America.
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A House Like a Fort
This house has very thick walls. It also has small openings that look like portholes. Because of these features, people sometimes called it the "fort" or "garrison house."
For a long time, many believed that Matthew Cradock built the house. He was one of the people who started the Massachusetts Bay Company. This company helped create the early Massachusetts Bay Colony. However, Matthew Cradock only owned the land. He never even came to America himself.
Who Built the House?
The land where the house stands was sold in 1677. Richard Russell sold it to Peter Tufts Sr. It is believed that Peter Tufts Sr. was already living there.
The house was most likely built by Peter Tufts himself. He later sold it to his son, Peter Tufts Jr., in 1680. The house is named after Peter Tufts Jr. A bricklayer named William Bucknam came from England in 1632. He was brought over to help build this house.
Saving a Piece of History
In 1887, the Peter Tufts House was almost torn down. But a person named Samuel Lawrence saved it. He bought the house as a wedding gift for his daughter.
When Samuel Lawrence bought the house, some changes were made inside. The interior was updated in a style called Colonial Revival. Only the main support beams and parts of the staircase stayed from the original house. Most of the outside of the house is still original. However, the front porch was added later, between 1889 and 1900.
The House on the City Seal
In 1892, Medford officially became a city. An image of the Peter Tufts House was put on the city seal. This shows how important the house was to the community.
Later, a man named William Sumner Appleton bought the house for $9,700. He used money that was donated to buy it. He offered the house to the Medford Historical Society. But at that time, they could not take care of it.
In 1930, the house was given to the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. This group is now called Historic New England. Finally, in 1982, the Medford Historical Society bought the house. They now take care of this important historical building.
A Family Legacy
Charles Tufts (1781–1876) was a descendant of Peter Tufts Sr. He later donated land in Medford. This land became the campus for Tufts University.
Images for kids
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Peter Tufts House (also known as Cradock House), around 1895–1905.
