Roxbury Heritage State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roxbury Heritage State Park |
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Dillaway-Thomas House
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| Location | 183 Roxbury Street, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States |
| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Established | 1992 |
| Operator | Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation |
| Website | Roxbury Heritage State Park |
Roxbury Heritage State Park is a special park in Roxbury, Massachusetts. It celebrates the rich history of this old area. The park's main feature is the Dillaway–Thomas House. This large colonial house was built in 1750. Many people believe it is the oldest house still standing in Roxbury.
The park also has a beautiful landscaped area. It covers about 1 acre (0.4 hectares) and offers great views of the Boston skyline. This park is part of a larger system of parks around Boston.
Contents
A Look Back at History
Roxbury Heritage State Park is located in the John Eliot Square area. This spot was the center of Roxbury when the town was founded way back in 1630.
The Dillaway–Thomas House Begins
In 1750, a pastor named Rev. Oliver Peabody started building a large house. It was designed in the Georgian style. Sadly, he passed away before it was finished.
Another pastor, Rev. Amos Adams, moved in and completed the house in 1752. It became a home for the church's minister.
A Military Headquarters During the Revolution
In 1775, the house became very important during the American Revolutionary War. It had excellent views of Dorchester Heights and Boston Neck. Because of this, General John Thomas of the Continental Army took over the house. He used it as his military headquarters.
Cannons and the Siege of Boston
A major event happened in 1776 while General Thomas was living there. Cannons from Fort Ticonderoga in New York were brought to Massachusetts. Henry Knox led this amazing journey. The cannons traveled through Roxbury to Dorchester Heights.
These cannons helped force the British army to leave Boston on March 17, 1776. This ended the Siege of Boston. In 2009, a special marker was placed at the park. It remembers the neighborhood's role in the Henry Knox Trail and General Thomas's part in ending the siege.
The Dillaway Family Moves In
After the war, the house went back to being a parsonage in 1786. Rev. Eliphalet Porter lived there. He later left the house to his nieces, Martha and Caroline Porter.
In 1835, Martha and her husband, Charles Knapp Dillaway, moved into the house. Mr. Dillaway was the headmaster of the Boston Latin School from 1831 to 1836. He taught privately after he retired. Martha continued to live in the house until she passed away in 1903.
Saving the Historic House
The City of Boston bought the property in 1927. There were plans to tear down the house and build a school. However, the local community fought hard to save it.
The Roxbury Historical Society helped restore the house. It was officially opened to the public on December 24, 1933.
Restoration and Opening as a Park
After two fires in the 1970s, the house needed more help. In 1984, a former Roxbury resident named Byron Rushing helped get money to restore the house. The goal was to preserve it as a heritage park.
During this restoration, architects carefully worked on the house. They even left some parts exposed to show how the house had changed over time. This created a "physical timeline" of its architectural history. The restored house opened to the public in 1992. Today, it has exhibits that show the history of Roxbury from the past to the present.
In 2020, the house received an award for its latest restoration efforts.
