Samuel Huntington Birthplace facts for kids
|
Samuel Huntington Birthplace
|
|
Samuel Huntington Birthplace c. 2018
|
|
 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Scotland, Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Area | 32 acres (13 ha) |
| Built | 1700–1722 |
| Architectural style | Saltbox colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 71001009 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | November 11, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | November 11, 1971 |
The Huntington Homestead, also known as the Samuel Huntington Birthplace, is a special old house in Scotland, Connecticut. It's called a historic house museum because you can visit it and learn about history. It's also a National Historic Landmark, which means it's a very important place in American history.
This house was built a long time ago, in the early 1700s. It was the home where Samuel Huntington (1731–1796) was born and grew up. Samuel Huntington was a very important American leader. He helped create the United States!
He was a delegate (a representative) to the Continental Congress, which was like the first government of the new country. He famously signed the Declaration of Independence. He also served as Governor of Connecticut and was the first leader of the Congress of the Confederation, which was the first central government of the United States.
Contents
Exploring the Huntington House
The Huntington house is a two-and-a-half story building made of wood. It has a special roof shape called a saltbox. This means the roof slopes down very far in the back, almost to the ground floor. This style was common in New England long ago.
The house has a large chimney in the middle. In the 1800s, a small kitchen was added to one side. Inside, the house looks much like it did when Samuel Huntington lived there. It has a small entrance area, a winding staircase, and rooms on either side of the chimney. There's a big kitchen and a small bedroom downstairs, and three bedrooms upstairs. Most of the inside, like the wood and plaster, is still original!
Protecting a National Treasure
This important house was named a National Historic Landmark in 1971. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places that same year.
In 1994, some local people created a group called The Governor Samuel Huntington Trust. Their goal was to protect this historic property. Since 1998, they have been working hard to fix up and take care of the house. They have even done archaeological digs to learn more about how the property was used in the past. Today, the trust runs the house as a museum. You can visit it from May to October on the first and third Saturday of each month.
Who Was Samuel Huntington?
Samuel Huntington was born in this very house in 1731. At that time, this area was part of a town called Windham. He didn't go to a fancy law school. Instead, he taught himself law by reading and studying. In 1758, he became a lawyer.
Huntington's Role in American History
Before the American Revolution, Samuel Huntington worked as a lawyer and judge in Connecticut Colony. He was even the King's attorney, which meant he represented the king in legal cases.
From 1775 to 1784, he served in the Connecticut State Legislature. During those same years, he was also a member of the Continental Congress. He was so respected that he became the president of the Congress from 1779 to 1781. As a member of the Congress in 1776, he had the honor of signing the United States Declaration of Independence. This document declared that the American colonies were free from British rule.
After the Revolution, Samuel Huntington continued to serve his country. He was the Governor of Connecticut from 1786 until he passed away in 1796. He was a true Founding Father who helped shape the early United States.
