Sayward-Wheeler House facts for kids
The Sayward-Wheeler House is a special old home in York Harbor, Maine. It was built around 1718 and sits overlooking the beautiful York River. This house was once the home of Jonathan Sayward, an important local businessman and community leader. He updated the house in the 1760s, decorating it just the way he liked it.
Today, the Sayward-Wheeler House is a museum. It helps us see what life was like long ago in colonial America.
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Discover the Sayward-Wheeler House
The Sayward-Wheeler House is a historic house museum. This means it's an old house kept in its original style. Visitors can explore it to learn about the past. It was built about 300 years ago in 1718. The house has a great view of the York River in Maine.
Who Was Jonathan Sayward?
Jonathan Sayward was a very important person in his community. He was a successful merchant, which means he bought and sold goods. He was also a civic leader, meaning he helped run the town. Sayward was involved in many important events during his life.
For example, he took part in a big battle in 1745. This was the Siege of Louisbourg, where American and British forces fought against the French. He also served in the Massachusetts legislature. This was like being a representative in the state government.
Even though Sayward had strong "Tory" views, his neighbors still respected him. Tories were people who supported the British king during the American Revolution. This was a time when the American colonies fought for independence from Britain.
A Glimpse into the Past
After Jonathan Sayward passed away, his family kept the house almost exactly as it was. There were a few reasons for this. One reason was that the economy was not doing well around 1807. This was after President Thomas Jefferson stopped trade with other countries.
Another big reason was that the family deeply respected Jonathan Sayward. They wanted to keep his home just as he had left it. Because of this, the house stayed very well preserved. As early as the 1860s, Sayward's family started letting visitors see the house. They wanted to show how their ancestors lived in the old colonial days.
The House Today
In the early 1900s, the house was updated a bit. It was used as a summer home by the family. They added new wallpaper and painted some of the wood white. But the original furniture and family paintings stayed right where they were.
Today, the Sayward-Wheeler House is owned and managed by Historic New England. This organization works to preserve old homes and places. They make sure that future generations can learn from and enjoy these important historical sites.
