William Cullen Bryant Homestead facts for kids
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William Cullen Bryant Homestead
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A string quartet plays on the homestead's porch
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Cummington, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 188.57 acres (0.7631 km2) |
| Built | 1783 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| Website | William Cullen Bryant Homestead |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000136 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 29, 1962 |
The William Cullen Bryant Homestead is a special place. It was the childhood home and later the summer house of William Cullen Bryant. He was a very important American poet and newspaper editor. This large property, about 155 acres (63 hectares), is in Cummington, Massachusetts. It looks out over the beautiful Westfield River Valley. Today, a group called The Trustees of Reservations takes care of it. You can visit on weekends in summer and early fall to take tours and learn about its history.
Contents
The Homestead's Early Days
The house was first built in 1783 by Bryant's grandfather, Ebenezer Snell. It sits on a hill with great views of the Hampshire Hills. Bryant's father, Peter Bryant, bought the house in 1799. This is where William Cullen Bryant grew up. He moved in when he was four years old and lived there until he was 22.
Bryant's Education and Inspiration
William briefly went to Williams College. He felt his education there was "meager and slight." He left after only seven months. In May 1811, he returned to his family's Homestead. After studying on his own, he became a lawyer in 1815. He worked in nearby Plainfield, Massachusetts. He would walk seven miles from home to work every day. On one of these walks in December 1815, he saw a single bird flying. This inspired him to write his famous poem "To a Waterfowl".
Bryant Buys Back His Home
The property was sold out of the family in 1835. But William Cullen Bryant bought his childhood home back in 1865. He then made many changes to it. He lifted the original building up. Then he built a whole new first floor underneath it. He also added a copy of his father's office. Later, he added a big new section to the house. Bryant also planted many fruit trees on the property.
Poems Inspired by the Homestead
Several of Bryant's poems were inspired by his time in Cummington. He especially loved the landscape around the house. These poems include "Lines on Revisiting the Country," "The Rivulet," and "Inscription for the Entrance to a Wood."
Modern History of the Homestead
Members of the Bryant family owned the property until 1929. Then, the poet's granddaughter gave it to The Trustees of Reservations. The Homestead was named a National Historic Landmark in 1962. The house is full of furniture and special items from three generations of the Bryant family. These include souvenirs from trips to Europe and the Middle East. There are also items showing what rural life was like.
Exploring the Homestead Today
The land around the house has not changed much since the early 1800s. It has a forest with very old trees. There is also a grove of 150-foot (46-meter) pine trees. You can also see sugar maple trees that are almost 200 years old. The property includes a visitor center and a gift shop. There is also a barn and picnic areas. You can explore two and a half miles of trails and roads. About 7,000 people visit the site each year.
Gallery
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1900 drawing of the house
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Bryant Barn
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Bryant in his study at the homestead
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See also
