Prudence Crandall Museum facts for kids
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Prudence Crandall House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1 S. Canterbury Rd., Canterbury, Connecticut |
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| Built | 1805 |
| Architectural style | Early Republic |
| Part of | Canterbury Center Historic District (ID97001446) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000696 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 22, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | July 17, 1991 |
| Designated CP | April 10, 1998 |
The Prudence Crandall Museum is a special old house in Canterbury, Connecticut. It's also known as the Elisha Payne House because of a previous owner. This historic house is located right on the village green, where two main roads, Route 14 and Route 169, meet. It's recognized as a U.S. National Historic Landmark, which means it's a very important place in American history.
Contents
The Canterbury Female Boarding School: A Story of Courage
The Prudence Crandall House is famous because it was once home to the Canterbury Female Boarding School. This school was run by a brave teacher named Prudence Crandall.
Opening the School for All Students
In 1831, Prudence Crandall bought this house to open her school. At first, it was for white students. But then, a highly qualified Black student asked to join. When Prudence Crandall allowed her to enroll, the parents of the white students became upset. They took their daughters out of the school. This threatened to close the school down.
A New School for African-American Girls
Instead of giving up, Prudence Crandall made a bold decision. In 1833, she closed the school for white students and reopened it just for African-American girls. She called them "young Ladies and little Misses of color." Many people in Canterbury did not like this idea. They worried that more African-American families would move to their town.
Facing Challenges and Becoming a Heroine
The town tried to stop Prudence Crandall's school using legal methods. When that didn't work quickly, some people even used violence. Because she was worried about the safety of her students, Prudence Crandall had to close the school in 1834. She then left Connecticut and never returned. For her courage and vision in fighting for education for all, Prudence Crandall is honored as Connecticut's official state heroine. The house became a National Historic Landmark in 1991.
Building the Prudence Crandall House
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The Prudence Crandall House was built in 1805. It's a great example of a style often called the "Canterbury type" because similar houses were built nearby. The house has a special roof shape, with a gable (a triangular part) on a hip roof (a roof that slopes on all sides). It also has two chimneys.
Unique Architectural Details
The front of the house has a triangular shape above the eaves (the part of the roof that hangs over). Below this, there's a part that sticks out from the center of the house. This section has a beautiful Palladian window on the second floor. A Palladian window is a large window with a central arched section and two smaller, rectangular side sections. This window lets light into the stair hall. The main entrance below it is also very fancy.
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The decorative trim around the house includes small blocks called modillions and a pattern called a Greek fret. The front corners of the house have "fluted pilasters" (flat, decorative columns). These pilasters also frame the central part of the house and the Palladian window. The Palladian window even has small pilasters and arches with a Gothic pattern. This Gothic pattern is repeated in the half-circle window above it.
Inside the Historic House
The foundation of the house is made of carefully cut stone blocks. Inside, many original features are still there. These include the decorative fireplace mantels, the main stairway, and most of the moldings and other interior details.
Keeping History Alive: Preservation Efforts
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In 1940, the house was studied by the Historic American Buildings Survey. They called it the "Elisha Payne House" and also the "Prudence Crandall School for Negro Girls," though the school never used that name when it was open.
The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
A detailed study in 1981 found that the house had changed very little since Prudence Crandall lived there. About 95% of the building was still in its original condition.
The building was officially named a National Historic Landmark in 1991. It is also part of the Canterbury Center Historic District, another important historical area.
Today, the Prudence Crandall House is a museum. Visitors can explore rooms set up to look like they did in the past. The museum also has changing exhibits, a small library for research, and a gift shop. It helps us remember Prudence Crandall's important story.
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