Solomon Goffe House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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The Solomon Goffe House
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Solomon Goffe House as seen in May, 2007
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| Location | 677 N. Colony St. Meriden, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1711 |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002645 |
| Added to NRHP | January 16, 1979 |
The Solomon Goffe House is a historic house museum located at 677 North Colony Street in Meriden, Connecticut, United States. It was built in 1711. This makes it the oldest building still standing in the city of Meriden. The city owns the house, and you can visit it for tours during the summer or by making an appointment.
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About the House and Its History
The Solomon Goffe House is found north of downtown Meriden. It sits on the east side of North Colony Street. The house is a one-and-a-half-story building made of wood. It has a special roof called a gambrel roof, which has two different slopes on each side. There is a large chimney in the center of the house. The outside walls are covered with overlapping wooden boards called clapboards.
The house has eight sections across its front. It features two main doors and six windows. You can also see four small windows, called dormers, sticking out from the front roof. Inside, some parts of the house have been changed over time. However, three rooms downstairs still look much like they did long ago. Other old features are also kept safe in different parts of the house.
Who Built the House?
The house was built around 1711 by a person named Solomon Goffe. We don't know much about him. It is thought that the house was first built with five sections. The three sections on the north side were likely added later. In the 1900s, many small parts were added to the house. Most of these additions have been removed during its restoration. This helps the house look more like it did when it was first built.
What You Can See Today
Today, the Solomon Goffe House is a museum. The city of Meriden owns and takes care of it. You can take tours on the first Sunday of each month. These tours happen from April to November, between 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM. Each month, the museum focuses on a different theme.
One of the most interesting parts of the house's yard is its traditional herb garden. This garden was designed to look like the herb gardens that were common in the 1700s. It shows what kinds of plants people grew for cooking and medicine back then.
Archaeological Discoveries
The Archaeology Society of Connecticut has also explored the property. They have dug in the ground around the house. During these digs, they found many old objects. One exciting discovery was an axe blade. These finds help us learn more about the people who lived there long ago.
More to Explore
