Suffield Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Suffield Historic District
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | N. and S. Main St., Suffield, Connecticut |
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| Area | 235 acres (95 ha) |
| Architectural style | Colonial, Greek Revival, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 79003750 |
| Added to NRHP | September 25, 1979 |
The Suffield Historic District is a special part of Suffield, Connecticut. It's like a protected neighborhood where many old and important buildings are kept safe. This district is located along Main Street in the center of town.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This means it's recognized as a very important place in American history. The district includes many different types of buildings from the 1700s to the early 1900s.
Contents
What is the Suffield Historic District?
The Suffield Historic District covers about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of Main Street. It stretches from Muddy Brook to just north of Mapleton Avenue. The area is mostly filled with homes and other buildings that show how the town grew over time.
This district is special because it doesn't have many big stores or factories. Instead, it looks like a classic New England village. The buildings here show different styles, including Colonial, Greek Revival, and Late Victorian.
A Look Back: Suffield's History
The town of Suffield was first settled way back in 1670. It officially became a town in 1684. For a long time, Suffield was mostly a farming community.
Farming and Growth
The lots along Main Street were set up with narrow fronts. But the land behind them was wide enough for several houses. In the early 1800s, farmers started growing tobacco. This crop was very valuable and helped the town become richer.
Education and Community
In 1833, a private school opened just north of the town center. This school is now called Suffield Academy. It brought more people and life to the area. The school also added to the beautiful buildings you can see today.
Exploring Main Street's Buildings
As you walk along Main Street, you'll see many interesting buildings. Most of them are homes, and they are very well-built. While not many were designed by famous architects, they are still very impressive.
Near the town center, you'll find some important public buildings. These include:
- A Baptist church built in the Greek Revival style.
- A Congregational church built in the Romanesque Revival style.
- The old Kent Memorial Library building. This building was designed by a famous architect named Daniel Burnham. It is now owned by Suffield Academy.
The town's library is now in a newer building. It was built in 1972 and designed by architect Warren Platner.
Important Historic Homes
Some of the houses in the district are so important that they are listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places. These include:
- The Hatheway House, built in 1762.
- The Alexander King House, built in 1764.
Both of these old homes are now historic house museums. This means you can visit them to learn about life in the past.
