Shaw Mansion (New London, Connecticut) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Shaw Mansion
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(2022)
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 11 Blinman St., New London, Connecticut |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1756 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000713 |
| Added to NRHP | December 29, 1970 |
The Shaw Mansion is a very old and important house in New London, Connecticut. It is also known as the Shaw-Perkins Mansion or the Shaw Mansion Museum. This historic home was built in 1756 for Nathaniel Shaw Sr. It is a great example of a rich merchant's house from that time.
The mansion became even more famous during the American Revolutionary War. It was used as the main office for Connecticut's navy. Since 1907, the New London County Historical Society has used the Shaw Mansion as its headquarters and a museum. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. This means it is a special place that is protected for its history.
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What is the Shaw Mansion Like?
The Shaw Mansion is a large, three-story building made of granite. It stands near the waterfront in downtown New London. A porch stretches across the front of the house. There is also a three-story granite section that extends from the main part.
Inside, the house has a central hallway. A beautiful staircase with a mahogany railing goes up two floors. The house looks much like it did hundreds of years ago.
A Look Back in Time: The Mansion's History
Building the House
Nathaniel Shaw Sr. had the house built in 1756. An interesting fact is that Acadian people helped build it. These Acadians were refugees. They had been forced to leave their homes in Nova Scotia by the English during the French and Indian Wars.
The Revolutionary War Years
Nathaniel Shaw Jr., the son, played a big role during the American Revolutionary War. He was named Connecticut's Naval War Agent. This meant he was in charge of the state's naval activities. Connecticut had its own small navy.
However, a more common way to fight at sea was through "privateering." This meant private citizens were allowed to capture enemy ships. They could then keep the valuable goods from these ships. People from New London captured 155 enemy ships during the war.
This success made New London a target. In 1781, Benedict Arnold attacked the town. He led British forces in the Battle of Groton Heights and burned much of New London. The Shaw Mansion also caught fire.
The "Vinegar House" Legend
A local story says that a neighbor helped put out the fire at the mansion. This neighbor supposedly used vinegar to stop the flames! The neighbor's house, which is no longer there, became known as the "vinegar house."
No matter how it happened, the Shaw Mansion survived the fires. Only a wooden part of the house was lost. This part was later rebuilt with granite in 1840. A single-story porch was added to the front of the house in the mid-1800s.
From Family Home to Museum
Nathaniel Shaw Jr. died in 1792. The house then went to the Perkins family. This happened when Shaw's niece married into the Perkins family. The Shaw family owned the house until 1907.
In 1907, the New London Historical Society bought the mansion. This society was started in 1870. Even after the society bought the house, some members of the Shaw family continued to live there. Today, the Shaw Mansion is a museum. It holds many old items and has a large library for research.
See also
