Wilder-Holton House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wilder-Holton House
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 226 Main St., Lancaster, New Hampshire |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1780 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000231 |
| Added to NRHP | June 11, 1975 |
The Wilder-Holton House is a super old house in Lancaster, New Hampshire. It's located at 226 Main Street. This house was built way back in 1780. People think it was the very first two-story house built in this area. It's also believed to be the oldest house still standing in Coos County! In 1975, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a really important historical spot. Today, the Lancaster Historical Society owns the house and runs it as a museum. You can visit and learn about its history!
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Discover the Wilder-Holton House
The Wilder-Holton House stands out at the north end of Main Street in Lancaster. It's near where two big roads, Route 2 and Route 3, meet.
What the House Looks Like
This house is made of wood and has two stories. It has a special kind of roof called a hip roof. The outside is covered with wooden clapboards, which are long, thin boards. The house is almost square-shaped.
The main door faces east. It has a small porch covering it. Inside, the house has a "center-hall plan." This means there's a hallway in the middle with rooms on both sides. On the second floor, there's even a large room that was once used as a ballroom!
A Look Back in Time
Jonas Wilder built this house in 1780. It's thought to be the first two-story building ever built in what is now Coos County. It's also the oldest house still around in the county. Older, smaller houses didn't last as long.
The Wilder-Holton House was a very important place for the community. In the 1790s, people held religious services there before a church was built. Town meetings were also held at the house. In the early 1800s, it might have been a boarding house. This means people visiting the nearby courthouse could stay there.
The house was originally part of a much larger farm. Farming continued there until the early 1900s. Since at least the 1960s, the Lancaster Historical Society has owned the house. They work hard to preserve it and share its history with everyone.
More to Explore
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Coos County, New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Historical Marker No. 84: Wilder-Holton House
