Richard Jackson House facts for kids
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Richard Jackson House
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ca. 1909 postcard image
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 76 Northwest Street, Portsmouth, New Hampshire |
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| Area | approximately 1-acre (4,000 m2) |
| Built | 1664 |
| Architect | Richard Jackson |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 68000009 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 24, 1968 |
| Designated NHL | November 24, 1968 |
The Richard Jackson House is a very old and important house in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It was built way back in 1664 by a man named Richard Jackson. This makes it the oldest wooden house in all of New Hampshire!
In 1968, the house was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a special place that is important to the history of the United States. Today, the Richard Jackson House is a historic house museum. It is owned by an organization called Historic New England. You can visit it on two Saturdays each month from June to October.
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History of the Richard Jackson House
Richard Jackson, the person who built this house, was a skilled woodworker. He also worked as a farmer and a sailor. He built the first part of his house on a 25-acre piece of land. This land was located near a small water inlet off the Piscataqua River, just north of Portsmouth's main town area.
How the House Was Built
Jackson's house looks a lot like older English homes from the time after the Middle Ages. However, it stands out because it uses a lot of wood, which was common in America. When it was first built, the house had two stories. There were two rooms on each floor, with a large chimney in the middle.
Soon after, a lean-to section was added to the back of the house. This part sloped down almost to the ground. Later, around 1764, more single-story sections were added to the sides of the house.
Saving the Historic House
In 1924, a man named William Sumner Appleton bought the house. He was the founder of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (SPNEA). This group is now known as Historic New England. Appleton bought the house from a family member who was the seventh generation of Jacksons to live there!
Appleton worked to restore the house. He removed changes that had been made in the 1800s. He also put in special windows with diamond-shaped glass panes. These were the kind of windows the house would have had in the 1600s.
The Richard Jackson House was officially named a National Historic Landmark in 1968. This recognized its importance to American history.
Nearby Historic Homes
The George Rogers House is another historic property. It is located just east of the Jackson House. This house is also owned by Historic New England. However, it is not open for people to visit.
More to Explore
- Oldest buildings in America
- List of the oldest buildings in New Hampshire
- List of National Historic Landmarks in New Hampshire
