Wing Fort House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wing Fort House
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The house in 2013
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 Location in Cape Cod
Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | East Sandwich, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1641 |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000227 |
| Added to NRHP | June 3, 1976 |
The Wing Fort House is a very old and special home in East Sandwich, Massachusetts. It was built way back in 1641! This house is famous because it's the oldest home in all of New England that stayed in the same family for a super long time.
In 1976, the Wing Fort House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to history.
A Family's Long History
The Wing Fort House has an amazing story about family ownership. Stephen Wing, a very early settler, got the property around 1646. He either bought it or the town of Sandwich gave it to him.
What makes this house so special is that his family members lived in it for many, many years. They kept it in the family until 1942. The last family member to live there was Miss Cora M. Wing.
After Miss Cora M. Wing, the house was sold to the Wing Family of America, Inc. This group helps keep the family's history alive.
Was It a Fort?
People have long believed that the Wing Fort House was once a fort. They thought it helped protect the first settlers from Native Americans. The oldest part of the house is called the "Old Fort" Room.
The outside wall of this room is built with a double layer. Some people think this double wall might have been filled in to make it stronger, like a fort. However, the local Native American tribes were friendly. So, the town of Sandwich never really needed a fort for protection.
Visiting the Museum
Today, the Wing Fort House is a museum. The Wing Family of America, Inc. runs it. You can visit this historic house to learn more about its past.
The museum is located at 69 Spring Hill Road in East Sandwich, Massachusetts. It's just off Route 6a.
You can visit the museum from June 15 to September 30. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you want to visit at other times of the year, you can make an appointment. There is a small fee to get in.
