William Clapp House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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William Clapp House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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William Clapp House
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 Location in Massachusetts
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| Location | Boston, MA |
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| Built | 1765 |
| Architectural style | Colonial, Federal |
| Part of | Clapp Houses (ID74000911) |
| Added to NRHP | May 2, 1974 |
The William Clapp House is a historic building in Dorchester, Massachusetts. It was built in 1806. Today, it is the main office for the Dorchester Historical Society. Inside, you can see many old items from the society's collection. These include furniture from the 1800s and other local historical treasures. This house is one of two Clapp Houses owned by the society. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means they are important historical sites.
The Story of William Clapp
The William Clapp House was built in 1806. It was made for William Clapp when he got married. William Clapp (1779-1860) was the son of Captain Lemuel Clap. His father had built another house nearby, called the Captain Lemuel Clap House.
William Clapp's Business
William Clapp followed in his father's footsteps. He worked in the tanning business. Tanning is a process that turns animal skins into leather. William Clapp owned the biggest tannery in Dorchester.
A Sweet Legacy: Clapp's Favorite Pear
Later in his life, William Clapp spent more time on his farm. He loved growing different kinds of pears. He even developed many new types of pears. The most famous one he created was called "Clapp's Favorite." He developed this special pear in 1820. By 1860, it was being sold widely. Today, "Clapp's Favorite" pears are still very popular and are grown for sale.
