Samuel Huntington Birthplace facts for kids
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Samuel Huntington Birthplace
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Samuel Huntington Birthplace c. 2018
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Scotland, Connecticut |
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| Area | 32 acres (13 ha) |
| Built | 1700–1722 |
| Architectural style | Saltbox colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 71001009 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 11, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | November 11, 1971 |
The Samuel Huntington Birthplace is a special old house in Scotland, Connecticut. It's also called the Huntington Homestead. This house is a historic house museum, which means you can visit it to learn about history. It's also a National Historic Landmark, showing how important it is to American history.
The 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 person in American history. He was one of the Founding Fathers. He helped create the United States!
Samuel Huntington was a delegate, or representative, to the Continental Congress. This was a meeting of leaders from the American colonies. There, he signed the Declaration of Independence. This document announced that the American colonies were free from British rule. He also became the Governor of Connecticut. Later, he was the first leader of the Congress of the Confederation. This was the first central government of the United States.
Contents
About the Huntington Homestead
What the House Looks Like
The Huntington house is a two-and-a-half-story building made of wood. It has a roof that slopes down on the back, which gives it a classic New England saltbox shape. Imagine a box with a sloped lid – that's what it looks like! A small kitchen was added to the side of the house in the 1800s.
Inside, the house has a traditional layout from the Georgian era. There's a big chimney in the middle. In front of the chimney, you'll find a small entrance area and a narrow, winding staircase. On either side of the chimney are the main rooms where people would gather. Behind the chimney, there's a large kitchen and a small bedroom. Upstairs, there are three more bedrooms. Most of the inside, like the wooden details and plaster, is still original from when the house was built.
History of the House
The Huntington house was built sometime between 1700 and 1725. It was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1971. This means it's one of the most important historic places in the United States. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in the same year.
In 1994, a group of local people created The Governor Samuel Huntington Trust. Their goal was to protect this important property. Since 1998, the trust has been working hard to fix up and restore the house. They have also done archaeological work to learn more about how the house was used long ago. Today, the trust runs the house as a historic house museum. You can visit it for tours from May through October on the first and third Saturday of each month.
Samuel Huntington's Important Life
Samuel Huntington was born in this very house in 1731. At that time, this area was part of Windham. He didn't go to a fancy law school. Instead, he taught himself about law and became a lawyer in 1758.
Before the American Revolution, Samuel Huntington worked in many legal jobs in Connecticut Colony. He was a judge and a justice of the peace. He also represented Connecticut in the Connecticut State Legislature from 1775 to 1784. During those same years, he was a delegate to the Continental Congress. He even served as the president of the Congress from 1779 to 1781.
In 1776, as a member of the Congress, he proudly signed the United States Declaration of Independence. This was a brave act that helped create our country. After the Revolution, he became the Governor of Connecticut in 1786. He served as governor until he passed away in 1796.
See also
