War Office (Lebanon, Connecticut) facts for kids
War Office
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Location | W. Town St., Lebanon, Connecticut |
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Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
Built | 1732 |
Architectural style | Georgian |
Part of | Lebanon Green Historic District (ID79002666) |
NRHP reference No. | 70000695 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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Added to NRHP | October 6, 1970 |
Designated CP | June 4, 1979 |
The War Office is a very old building in Lebanon, Connecticut. It was built around 1732. This building is super important because it was where Governor Jonathan Trumbull worked during the American Revolutionary War. He held many important meetings there to plan how to fight for America's freedom. Today, it's a museum where you can learn about its history.
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What is the War Office?
The War Office is a small, historic building. It stands on the west side of West Town Street in Lebanon. It is near the Governor Jonathan Trumbull House, which is another important historical site.
Building Features
This building has one and a half stories. It is made of wood and has a special roof called a gambrel roof. It also has a chimney made of brick in the middle. The outside walls are covered with wooden boards called clapboards.
The front of the building has its main door on the left side. There are two windows that are not evenly spaced. The sides of the building have one window on the first floor and one in the attic. Inside, the building is simple and holds many museum exhibits.
History of the War Office
The War Office was built around 1732. A man named Captain Joseph Trumbull built it. He used it as his store and office for his business.
A Place for War Plans
The building became very famous during the American Revolutionary War. It was used as the main office for Connecticut's Governor Jonathan Trumbull. More than 1,000 important war meetings happened here. These meetings helped plan how the American colonists would fight for their independence.
Many famous people visited the War Office. These visitors included George Washington, who was the leader of the American army. Other important figures like Rochambeau, Lafayette, and Benjamin Franklin also came to discuss war plans.
French Army's Winter Camp
The area around the Lebanon Green was also important. The French Army's cavalry, which were soldiers on horseback, stayed there during the winter of 1780-1781. They rested there before joining the rest of their army. They then marched to Yorktown, Virginia, for a very important battle.
Becoming a Museum
After the war, the War Office was not used much. It started to fall apart. In 1891, it was given to the Connecticut chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. This group works to preserve American history. Since then, the War Office has been a museum. It helps people learn about the important role Connecticut played in the Revolutionary War.