William Tully House facts for kids
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William Tully House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 135 N. Cove Rd., Old Saybrook, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | c. 1750 |
| Architect | Tully, William |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| Part of | North Cove Historic District (ID94000766) |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004340 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 15, 1982 |
| Designated CP | July 22, 1994 |
The William Tully House is a really old and special home located at 135 North Cove Road in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. It's also known by the cool names Hartsease or Heartsease. This house was built around 1750, which means it's over 270 years old! It's a great example of homes from that time period.
The house has an interesting past, connected to a famous doctor from the 1800s. It was also part of a small event during the American Revolutionary War. Because of its history and unique style, the William Tully House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This list helps protect important places in the United States.
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Exploring the William Tully House
The William Tully House sits on the north side of North Cove Road in Old Saybrook. This road itself is very old, dating back to the mid-1600s. The house is near a body of water called North Cove.
What Does the House Look Like?
The house is a 2+1⁄2-story building made of wood. It has a classic look with a large chimney in the middle. There are four window sections across the front, and the main door is right in the center. Experts believe it started as a smaller house with just one room. It likely had a sleeping area in the attic and a kitchen in the basement. Later, more rooms were added to make it bigger.
The Mystery of the Name "Heartsease"
The name "Heartsease" for the house is a bit of a mystery! No one knows for sure why it was given this name. It might be connected to a pretty flower called Viola tricolor, which is also known as heartsease. Perhaps these flowers once grew in the yard. Another idea is that the house was used as a summer place for young working women in the 1800s. Maybe it was a place where they could find "heart's ease" or peace.
When Was the House Built?
The exact year the William Tully House was built isn't written down anywhere. However, historians believe it was around 1750. This date is based on a few clues. William Tully's father divided his land in 1745. It's thought that William Tully built his house soon after getting his share of the land.
A Small Event During the Revolutionary War
The house was the site of a minor event during the American Revolutionary War on August 8, 1779. During this time, some people called Tories (who supported the British) came from Middletown. They wanted to get some of their goods to sell to the British. The second William Tully, who lived in the house, defended his property during this encounter.
Dr. William Tully: A Famous Resident
Later, the house was owned by another important person named Dr. William Tully. He was the fourth person in his family to have that name. Dr. William Tully was known as one of Connecticut's leading scientific doctors in the early 1800s. He also taught at the famous Yale Medical School. His connection adds to the rich history of this special home.
