Samuel Smith House and Tannery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Samuel Smith House And Tannery
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Front and western side
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 103 Jefferson St., Greenfield, Ohio |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1821 |
| Architect | William Robinson |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002086 |
| Added to NRHP | July 5, 1978 |
The Samuel Smith House and Tannery is a special old building in Greenfield, Ohio, United States. It was built a long time ago, in the 1820s, and is now known as a historic site because of its important past. This building tells a story about early life and business in Ohio.
History of the Smith Family and Greenfield
Greenfield village was started in 1812 by William Robinson Smith. He was a veteran of the American Revolutionary War and came from Pennsylvania. William and his son Robert began a business called a tannery on the edge of the settlement. A tannery is a place where animal hides (skins) are turned into leather. They built a simple building for their business near Paint Creek.
After some years, William's oldest son, Samuel M. Smith, took over the tannery. Samuel decided to replace the first building with a new, stronger one. This new building is the house we see today. As time went on, Samuel Smith became a well-known doctor in the community.
What the House Looks Like
Samuel Smith's cousin, William Robinson, built the house and tannery between 1821 and 1822. It was designed in the Federal style, which was popular in early America. The building has an "L" shape and is two stories tall.
The walls are made from a mix of different stone types. Some parts use rubble masonry, which is rough, uneven stone. Other parts use ashlar, which are carefully cut and shaped stones. The outside of the building is covered with stucco, a type of plaster. The house sits on a strong stone foundation and has an asphalt roof. It has five sections, called bays, with the main door in the middle. This makes it one of the oldest buildings still standing in Greenfield.
Why This Building Is Important
In 1978, the Samuel Smith House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history. The house was chosen for two main reasons. First, its architecture is historically significant, showing the Federal style of the time. Second, it was the home of Samuel M. Smith, who was a very important person in the Greenfield community.
The Samuel Smith House is one of two buildings in Greenfield that are on the National Register. The other is the Travellers' Rest Inn, which is located just across the street.
