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 really old and important house in New London, Connecticut. It's also known as the Shaw-Perkins Mansion or the Shaw Mansion Museum. This amazing house was built way back in 1756 for a rich merchant named Nathaniel Shaw Sr.
During the American Revolutionary War, the Shaw Mansion was super important. It served as the main office for Connecticut's navy. Today, it's a historic house museum and the home of the New London County Historical Society. They have been there since 1907.
The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. This means it's recognized as a special historical place in the United States.
Contents
What Does the Shaw Mansion Look Like?
The Shaw Mansion is a large, three-story building made of granite. It stands proudly near the waterfront in downtown New London. The front of the house has a wide, single-story porch.
There's also a three-story granite section that extends from the main part of the house. Inside, the house has a central hallway with a beautiful staircase. This staircase has a fancy banister and railings made of mahogany wood.
A House Built with Help
Nathaniel Shaw Sr. had this house built in 1756. Some of the people who helped build it were Acadians. These were French-speaking people who had to leave their homes in Nova Scotia. They came to New London as refugees during the French and Indian Wars.
The Shaw Mansion During the Revolutionary War
Nathaniel Shaw Sr.'s son, Nathaniel Jr., played a big role during the American Revolutionary War. He was appointed as Connecticut's Naval War Agent. This meant he helped manage the state's navy.
Connecticut had its own navy, but a more common way to fight was through "privateering." This meant private ships were allowed to capture enemy ships. New Londoners were very good at this, capturing 155 enemy ships during the war!
The Great Fire and a Clever Neighbor
New London's success in capturing ships was one reason why Benedict Arnold attacked the city. During the Battle of Groton Heights, much of New London was burned. The Shaw Mansion also caught fire.
But a local story says that a neighbor saved the house! This neighbor supposedly used vinegar to put out the flames. The neighbor's house, which is no longer there, was even called the "vinegar house" because of this story.
However it happened, the main part of the Shaw Mansion survived the fires. Only a wooden part of the house was lost. This part was later rebuilt with strong granite in 1840. The front porch was added in the mid-1800s.
From Family Home to Museum
Nathaniel Jr. passed away in 1792. The house then went to the Perkins family through the marriage of Shaw's niece. The Shaw family owned the house until 1907.
In 1907, the New London County Historical Society bought the mansion. This society was started in 1870. Even after the purchase, some members of the Shaw family continued to live in the house for a while.
Today, the Shaw Mansion is a museum. It holds many old antiques and has a large research library. It helps people learn about the history of New London.
See Also
