Walker-Collis House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Walker-Collis House
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1 Stadler St., Belchertown, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 1.3 acres (0.53 ha) |
| Built | 1880 |
| Built by | Hoag, Henry |
| Architectural style | Stick/Eastlake, Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001903 |
| Added to NRHP | September 30, 1982 |
The Walker-Collis House is a very old and important house located in Belchertown, Massachusetts. It was built in 1880 and has a unique Victorian style. This house was once one of the most fancy buildings in town. In 1976, it was moved to its current spot. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, which means it's officially recognized as a special historical building.
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Discovering the Walker-Collis House
The Walker-Collis House stands out in the center of Belchertown. You can find it at the corner of Stadler Street and United States Route 202. It's a large, two-and-a-half story house made of wood. The roof is a mix of two styles, called mansard and gambrel. The lower part of the roof is angled and covered with wooden shingles. The top part is steeper and has asphalt shingles.
Unique Design and Details
The outside of the house shows off many Stick style details. This means it has decorative wooden boards that look like sticks. These boards highlight the structure of the house. Inside, the house is very fancy and decorated with many beautiful features.
The Story of the Walker-Collis House
This amazing house was built in 1880 by a man named Myron Walker. He was born in 1846 and passed away in 1911. Myron Walker was a state senator, which means he was a politician who helped make laws for the state. He had traveled a lot, spending time in New York and California.
Myron Walker's Grand Vision
Myron Walker became very wealthy during his travels. He reportedly spent a lot of money, about $30,000, to build this grand house. That was a huge amount of money back then! The house even had its own gas heating system. People say this system also helped heat the bandstand on the town common. It even provided gas for street lights nearby.
A New Chapter for the House
After some financial changes in 1889, Myron Walker's fortune decreased. His nephew later inherited the property. For much of the 1900s, the Collis family owned the house. At one point, the house was in danger of being torn down. But thankfully, it was saved! In 1976, it was carefully moved to its current location. After the move, it was repaired and made beautiful again.
