White-Overton-Callander House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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White-Overton-Callander House
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| Location | 492 Main St., Portland, Connecticut |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | c. 1714 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 13000896 |
| Added to NRHP | October 25, 2013 |
The White-Overton-Callander House is a very old home in Portland, Connecticut. It is now a historic house museum. This house was built around the 1710s. It is one of the oldest buildings still standing in the area. Nathaniel White, an early settler of Middletown, built it. Since 1997, the local historical society has owned the house. You can visit it for tours on some Sundays. In 2013, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special place worth protecting.
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What Does the White-Overton-Callander House Look Like?
The White-Overton-Callander House is located northeast of downtown Portland. It sits on the northwest side of Main Street. This house is a two-and-a-half-story building. It is made of wood and has a pointed roof. A large chimney stands in the middle of the house. The outside walls are covered with clapboards, which are long, thin boards.
Unique Features of This Historic Home
The front of the house has four window sections. The main door is near the middle. It has one window section to its left and two to its right. The decorations on the house are simple. However, the front door has a special porch. This porch has a gable roof, which looks like a small house roof. Experts think the house was once perfectly balanced. The section on the far right might have been added later. A smaller, one-story part extends from the back of the house.
Who Lived in the White-Overton-Callander House?
Nathaniel White was one of the first English settlers in the area. This area is now Portland and Middletown. He moved there in 1650. Early settlers lived on the west side of the Connecticut River. In 1653, they started giving out land on the east side for farming.
The White Family and Early Portland History
Nathaniel White received land in 1693. This land was once set aside for Native Americans. His grandson, Nathaniel White II, built this house there. It is thought to be the fourth house ever built in what is now Portland. The house was likely built soon after the elder White died in 1711. Like his grandfather, the younger Nathaniel White was also active in community matters.
Later Owners and Their Contributions
The White family owned the house until 1918. Seth Overton was an important owner in the late 1700s. He helped get supplies for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He also oversaw the building of the USS Connecticut in 1799. This was a famous ship. In 1997, Ruth Ryan Callander left the house to the Portland Historical Society. This is how it became a museum for everyone to enjoy.
