Shirley–Eustis House facts for kids
The Shirley–Eustis House is a very old and important house located in Boston, Massachusetts. It's so special that it's called a National Historic Landmark, which means it's a place that tells a big part of American history.
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Shirley–Eustis House
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 33 Shirley Street, Roxbury, Massachusetts |
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| Area | .25-acre (0.10 ha) |
| Built | 1741 |
| Architect | Peter Harrison |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Website | shirleyeustishouse.org |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000787 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, Georgian |
| Designated NHL | October 9, 1960 |
This house was built a long time ago, between 1747 and 1751. It was the summer home for William Shirley, who was the Royal Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. Think of him as the king's main representative in the area before the United States became a country. The house was likely designed by Peter Harrison, a famous architect of that time. It's one of only four homes left that belonged to Royal Governors in the U.S.
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Contents
Who Lived in This Historic House?
Governor Shirley and His Family
After Governor Shirley, his son-in-law, Eliakim Hutchinson, took over the house in 1763. Hutchinson was a very rich man and an important judge in Boston. When Governor Shirley retired from his job in the Bahamas, he moved back into the house with his daughter and son-in-law. He lived there until he passed away in 1771.
A Home During the Revolution
When Hutchinson died in 1775, the house was used by soldiers during the American Revolutionary War. It was taken by the government in 1778 because its previous owners were loyal to the British king (they were called Loyalists).
The house then sat empty for a few years. In 1782, it was bought and sold many times. It had different owners, including a French planter's widow and a rich merchant.
Governor William Eustis's Time
Later, the house was bought by William Eustis. He was a very important person in American history. He served as the United States Secretary of War during the War of 1812 under President James Madison. He was also an Ambassador to the Netherlands and later became the first Democratic-Republican Governor of Massachusetts.
Saving the Shirley–Eustis House
The House Falls on Hard Times
After Governor Eustis's wife passed away in 1865, the house and its contents were sold. In 1867, the land around the house was divided into many smaller plots. The mansion itself was moved about 60 feet to make space for Shirley Street. By 1886, many different families were living in the house. It was completely abandoned by 1911.
A Plan to Save History
In 1913, a man named William Sumner Appleton stepped in to help. He had just started a group called the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. He created the Shirley–Eustis House Association to save the house from falling apart. At first, it was used to store old artifacts.
The house was officially recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1960.
Bringing the House Back to Life
In the 1980s, an architect named Robert G. Neiley and the Shirley Eustis House Association worked hard to save the crumbling building. They started a big restoration project in the 1980s. In 1991, the house finally opened to the public.
The restoration included bringing the gardens back to life with an orchard, old-fashioned flower beds, and a large lawn. This amazing work won an award from the Boston Preservation Alliance for being the best-restored small building in Boston. Today, the Shirley–Eustis House stands as a reminder of important times in American history.
See also
