William Brattle House facts for kids
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William Brattle House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The William Brattle House in 2011 as the Cambridge Center for Adult Education
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 42 Brattle Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1727 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Part of | Harvard Square Historic District (ID86003654) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000286 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 8, 1973 |
| Designated CP | July 28, 1988 |
The William Brattle House is a very old and important house located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was built in 1727 and is one of seven special colonial mansions. These homes were once part of an area known as "Tory Row." Today, the house is used by the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, which offers classes for grown-ups.
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The Story of the William Brattle House
The William Brattle House was built in 1727 for Major General William Brattle. At that time, he was one of the richest people in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was the son of William Brattle and the nephew of Thomas Brattle.
Why Did the Brattle Family Leave?
In 1774, a big event called the Powder Alarm happened. This made many people in the colony very angry. An angry crowd surrounded the Brattle mansion, and the family had to quickly leave for Boston.
General Brattle was 70 years old when he left Boston. This happened on March 17, 1776, a day known as Evacuation Day. He moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and sadly passed away a few months later on October 26, 1776. He was buried in the Old Burying Ground (Halifax, Nova Scotia).
Who Lived in the House After Brattle?
Even though the Brattle family had to leave, the house was saved. General Brattle's daughter, Mrs. Katherine Wendell, worked hard to make sure the family could get their home back. Her brother, Major Thomas Brattle, eventually got the house back after showing he supported the new country.
For a short time, the house was used as a headquarters by Thomas Mifflin. Many important people from the early days of the American Revolution visited here. One famous visitor was John Adams, who stopped by before he traveled to Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence.
Margaret Fuller's Time in the House
The William Brattle House was also home to a famous American writer named Margaret Fuller. Her uncle Abraham owned the house, and the Fuller family moved in during September 1831. They lived there until April 1833.
Margaret Fuller was young at the time, and she did not enjoy living in the grand house. She even called it her "gilded cage," meaning it looked fancy but felt like a prison to her. While living here on Christmas Day in 1834, she had an important thought. She realized that being selfish was not good and that she should try to work with life's challenges.
The House Today
The William Brattle House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it is recognized as an important historical site. In 1988, it became part of a larger area called the Harvard Square Historic District.
Today, the house is owned and cared for by the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. This is a non-profit group that started in 1938. They offer many different classes for adults. The Cambridge Center for Adult Education also owns another historic building nearby, the Dexter Pratt House.
Images for kids
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Brattle House in 1937
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