Theron Boyd Homestead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Theron Boyd Homestead
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Town Hwy. 6, Hartford, Vermont |
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| Area | 30.2 acres (12.2 ha) |
| Built | 1786 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| MPS | Agricultural Resources of Vermont MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 93000381 |
| Added to NRHP | May 20, 1993 |
The Theron Boyd Homestead is an old farm in Hartford, Vermont. It has a house and a barn, both built way back in 1786! This house is special because it hasn't changed much since it was built. It's one of the best examples of early American homes from that time. The state of Vermont now owns this farm. They plan to open it as a historic place for everyone to visit. In 1993, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical spot in the country.
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Exploring the Theron Boyd Homestead
The Theron Boyd Homestead is in western Hartford. It's about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the village of Quechee. The farm has open fields and wooded areas. The main buildings, the house and barn, are on Hillside Road.
The Historic Barn
The barn is a large wooden building with a sloped roof. It has five sections and is covered with vertical wooden boards. It sits close to the south side of Hillside Road. This barn is just as old as the house, built in 1786.
The Old Theron Boyd House
The house is a two-story building. It has a sloped roof and a big chimney in the middle. The outside is covered with clapboard siding. The foundation is made of stone. The front of the house, facing the street, has five windows. The main door is in the center. It has special decorations around it, like narrow columns and a small window above.
Inside the House
When you go inside, you'll see many old features. The doors still have their original handles. There are wooden panels and even wallpaper from the early 1800s. Some parts of the house even have paint that looks like marble! It seems the inside was finished a bit later than the outside. A brick addition was built onto the house in the early 1800s.
No Modern Comforts
What's really interesting is that this house has never had modern things like indoor plumbing or electricity! It's like stepping back in time. This helps keep the house looking just as it did hundreds of years ago.
History of the Farm
The Theron Boyd Homestead has a long and interesting history.
Who Built the House?
The house was built in 1786 for William Burtch. His father, Benjamin Burtch, was the first to settle on this land in 1766. The Burtch family was important in Hartford.
Theron Boyd's Time
From the early 1920s until about 1981, the farm was owned by Theron Boyd. He really loved the property and wanted to keep it just as it was. He didn't want to sell off parts of the land. He also didn't want to add modern updates to the house. Because of him, the house stayed very original.
Becoming a State Historic Site
In the 1980s, the land was given to the Vermont Land Trust. Then, in 1990, it was given to the state of Vermont. The state is now working to fix up the house. They want to get the farm ready to open as a historic site. This means people will be able to visit and learn about what life was like long ago!
