Walter Hand House facts for kids
The Walter Hand House is a historic building found on Angola Road in Cornwall, New York, United States. Built around 1870, it was once the main building of a large farm. This house was special because it served two purposes: it was a family farmhouse and also a summer boardinghouse. Many people from New York City wanted to visit Cornwall for its fresh air and beautiful scenery, so the town became a popular summer spot.
Today, the house is known as Shadow Mountain Farm. It is owned by Cromwell Manor, a bed and breakfast located nearby. Both the Walter Hand House and Cromwell Manor were added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1996, recognizing their importance in history.
Quick facts for kids |
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Walter Hand House
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Front (east) elevation, 2008
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| Location | Cornwall, NY |
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| Nearest city | Newburgh |
| Area | 5 acres (2 ha) |
| Built | ca. 1870 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| MPS | Historic and Architectural Resources of Cornwall |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000154 |
| Added to NRHP | 1996 |
Contents
What Makes the Walter Hand House Special?
The Walter Hand House sits on a small hill. From here, you can see Schunemunk Mountain in the distance. The land around the house used to be part of a much bigger farm. Over time, parts of the farm were sold off.
How Does the House Look?
The house is a two-and-a-half-story building. It is covered with clapboard siding, which means it has long, flat wooden boards overlapping each other. The house has a style called Gothic Revival, which means it has decorative details inspired by old Gothic buildings.
The roof is made of wooden shingles. There are brick chimneys at each end of the house. A two-story section sticks out from the back, adding to its unique shape.
What About the Porch?
A one-story porch runs along the entire front of the house. It has a flat roof with decorative brackets and columns. The railing of the porch has fancy cutouts, making it look very detailed and pretty.
What's Inside the House?
Inside, the house has a main hallway in the center. Many of the original parts are still there, like the old door handles and decorative trim. The attic, which was used for summer guests, is also fully finished.
Other Buildings on the Property
Besides the main house, there are six other buildings on the property. They were all built around the same time as the house. These buildings are located a little downhill and behind the main house.
- There are two two-story wooden barns.
- A kitchen building that has been changed into a home.
- A carriage house with its original doors and hardware.
- A small shed.
All these buildings are considered important parts of the historic property.
A Look Back: The House's History
The Walter Hand House was built around 1870 by Walter Hand himself. His family was one of the oldest in Cornwall. Walter Hand was a successful apple farmer.
He noticed that many people from New York City wanted to spend their summers in Cornwall. So, he designed his house to be both a farm home and a place where summer visitors could stay. He even finished the attic so he could host more guests.
Over the years, the house has had different owners. Recently, it has returned to its original purpose of hosting guests. The owners of Cromwell Manor now run it as Shadow Mountain Farm Cottage, a bed and breakfast.
Images for kids
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Front (east) elevation, 2008
