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 important building in Amherst, Massachusetts. It was built around 1744, making it one of the oldest homes still standing in Amherst. This house is a great example of the building style from the mid-1700s in the Connecticut River Valley.
In 1916, the Strong House was given to the Amherst Historical Society. Today, it is home to the Amherst History Museum. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it is recognized as a special historical place in the United States.
Contents
What the Strong House Looks Like
The Strong House is located just west of the main part of Amherst. It sits a bit back from the north side of Amity Street. It is a two-and-a-half-story building made of wood.
Building Style and Features
The house has a special roof called a gambrel roof. Its outside walls are covered with clapboards, which are long, thin pieces of wood. The front of the house has five sections with windows. The main door is in the middle and has a small, gabled porch over it.
The windows on the first floor have decorative tops called cornices. The steep part of the roof has two windows that stick out, known as gabled dormers. While the house was first built in 1744, many of its current features were added later in the 1700s.
History of the Strong House
The Strong House was built around 1744 by Nehemiah Strong. This was only six years after people officially started settling in Amherst. The house was first built in a style called a saltbox, which means it had a long, sloping roof on the back.
Changes Over Time
Nehemiah Strong's son, Simeon Strong, made the house bigger in the 1790s. He added the gambrel roof and the front porch that you see today. Simeon Strong was a very important person in Amherst. He was a lawyer and held many town jobs. He also represented Amherst in the state government. Later, he became a judge on the highest court in Massachusetts.
Simeon's son and grandson also owned the house. They were also important people in the community. The Strong family sold the house in 1845. Since 1916, when the historical society bought it, the house has been a museum.
Images for kids
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The Strong House in Amherst, Massachusetts.
