Woodchuck Lodge facts for kids
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Woodchuck Lodge
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Boyhood rock and grave of John Burroughs
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Burroughs Road, Roxbury, NY |
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| Area | 25 acres (10 ha) |
| Built | 1908 |
| Architect | Curtis Burroughs |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000512 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 29, 1962 |
Woodchuck Lodge is a special historic house located in the beautiful Catskill Mountains in Roxbury, New York. It was the last home of a famous nature writer named John Burroughs (1837-1921). He lived here from 1908 until he passed away.
Today, Woodchuck Lodge is part of the John Burroughs Memorial State Historic Site. This means the state of New York takes care of it. You can even visit the house for tours on weekends from May to October. It's a very important place, recognized as a National Historic Landmark since 1962. This honor shows how important John Burroughs was as a writer about nature.
What is Woodchuck Lodge Like?
Woodchuck Lodge is in a quiet, natural area near Roxbury. The property covers about 25 acres, which is like 25 football fields! It has woods, open fields, the main house, and a very special rock. This large rock is where John Burroughs played when he was a child. It's also where he is buried today.
The house itself is made of wood and shaped like the letter "L". It has two parts: a taller, two-story section and a shorter, one-story part. There's a cozy porch at the front where you can imagine John Burroughs relaxing. The house has some simple, classic design features, but it also feels very natural and rustic, fitting for a nature lover.
The History of Woodchuck Lodge
The lodge was built around 1863 by John Burroughs' brother, Curtis. It was built on the same land where the Burroughs family grew up. John Burroughs first rented the house from his nephew in 1910 and 1911 for his summer visits. He loved it so much that he bought it completely in 1913.
After John Burroughs passed away in 1921, a famous businessman named Henry Ford bought the property in 1922. Henry Ford was a big admirer of John Burroughs. In 1947, Ford gave most of the property back to the Burroughs family. However, he gave the field with the special "boyhood rock" and John Burroughs' grave directly to the state of New York.
For many years, Woodchuck Lodge was a private home. But in 1975, a group that wanted to preserve its history bought it. Now, the state of New York owns the lodge as part of the historic site. This means more people can visit and learn about John Burroughs and his love for nature.
