Strong House (Amherst, Massachusetts) facts for kids
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Strong House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Strong House
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Amherst, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | c. 1744 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Part of | Amherst Central Business District (ID91001859) |
| NRHP reference No. | 84002457 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 5, 1984 |
| Designated CP | December 27, 1991 |
The Strong House is a very old and special building in Amherst, Massachusetts. It was built around 1744, which makes it one of the oldest houses still standing in Amherst! This house is a great example of how buildings looked in the Connecticut River Valley in the mid-1700s. Today, it's home to the Amherst History Museum, where you can learn all about the town's past. The Strong House was recognized as an important historical place in 1984 and became part of the Amherst Central Business District in 1991.
Contents
The Story of the Strong House
Where is the Strong House?
The Strong House is located just west of the main shopping area in Amherst. It sits a bit back from the north side of Amity Street, near Prospect Street. It's easy to spot because it looks like a classic old home.
What Does It Look Like?
The Strong House is a two-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. The outside walls are covered with clapboard, which are long, thin boards. The front of the house has five windows across, with the main door in the middle. This door has a small, gabled porch over it, called a portico. The windows on the first floor have decorative tops called cornices. Two small windows stick out from the steep part of the roof; these are called gabled dormers. Even though the house was first built around 1744, many of its current features were added later in the 1700s.
Who Lived Here?
The house was built around 1744 by Nehemiah Strong. This was only six years after Amherst officially started as a settlement! Originally, it was a saltbox house, which means it had a long, sloping roof on the back, like an old salt container.
Nehemiah's son, Simeon Strong, made the house bigger in the 1790s. He added the gambrel roof and the front portico that you see today. Simeon Strong was a very important lawyer in the area. He held many jobs in the town and even represented Amherst in the state government. Later, he became a judge on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. His son and grandson also owned the house and were important people in local events.
A Museum for Everyone
The Strong family sold the house in 1845. In 1916, the Amherst Historical Society bought it. Since then, the Strong House has been a museum, helping people learn about Amherst's rich history. It's a great place to visit and imagine what life was like hundreds of years ago!
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