Wilton exhibits furnishings, textiles, glass, ceramics, silver, and archaeology reflecting the lives of the Randolphs and their enslaved workers during the mid-18th century. Today, Wilton continues to serve as an example of Georgian architecture, headquarters to the Virginia Dames, and host to public programs and educational exhibits.Richmond, VA
He welcomed the English Settlers. Then inspired the Colonial Dames.Three European navigators from three different countries (sort of) are credited with discovering California within a 45 year period. But it wasn’t until Sir Francis Drake claimed if for England that things got messy. All of the navigators are remembered on this lovely monument. San Francisco, CA
Loyal British subject flips to lead fight in America.George Washington, known as the father of the U.S., was born into a long line of British citizens. But how did the family go from wealthy merchants under the Union Jack to rebels in a new world? Washington’s ancestral home, called Sulgrave Manor, preserves the story of the family’s connection in Britain, how they came to be Americans, and what life was like in the dramatic Tudor era.Banbury, United Kingdom
The oldest remaining home in Providence, Rhode Island is the Stephen Hopkins House, named for its most prominent colonial resident. A signer of the Declaration of Independence, Stephen Hopkins served in many distinguished roles in early Rhode Island history: he was the first Chancellor of Brown University, Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, Governor of the colony (ten times!), and Delegate to the Colonial and Continental Congresses. Providence, RI
Charleston has an explosive history. And it all starts with five tons of gunpowder.Charleston used to be surrounded by a wall fortified by cannons—so it needed lots of gunpowder. But there’s a lot more inside this little building, including pirate stories, glimpses into life back when, and a model of the city from 1733 that lights up!Charleston, SC
Step into the 1700sTaking on a farm in the 18th century was about more than raising food. It was about raising a family and creating a life that would last (hopefully) for generations. Martin House Farm, is such a place. Today it stands as a example of a bygone era inviting visitors to see what life was like for over 200 years of continuous Martin family members.Swansea, MA
Up from the ashes.As a country home originally built in 1725 by John Skene, the first Freemason resident on record in the colonies, Peachfield is an important part of New Jersey’s agricultural history. But what may set Peachfield apart is the loving restoration that started in 1931 when the house, ravaged by fire, and 135 acres around it was purchased. Working with a well-known architect from Philadelphia, the home now shares its history with everyone who enters.Westampton, NJ
A spark for intellect in America.With a library of 1,000 books, early modern philosopher George Berkeley and his new wife, Anne, came to America from the British Isles to found a college to be located in Bermuda. What Berkeley started instead was a conversation about philosophy that echoes today in the halls of Whitehall. As a renowned educator, the Irish philosopher would approve of today’s resident scholars hosted each summer, and the discussion that includes both visitors and educators alike.Middletown, RI
If these walls could talk, what would they say?Quaker. Fur trader. Secretary to William Penn. Slaveholder. Acting Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania. James Logan (1674-1751) was all of these, and built Stenton as a grand Georgianstyle home. The fully authentic and historic house, gardens and extensive collections are a reminder of how life was lived, history was shaped and families were created and torn apart.Philadelphia, PA
Three Navigators. One Coast. Endless Fighting.Then inspired the Colonial Dames. Tomochichi was a Native American leader who worked closely with English settlers. His reward was to have his gravesite destroyed. But the injustice was corrected by a fledging group called The Colonial Dames. Make sure your visit to Savannah’s lovely and historic parks includes this inspiring monument.Savannah, GA
100 years of worship (and war) and 100 years of preservation.Moving a church isn’t easy. But it was either that or lose the First Presbyterian Church of Wilmington. Built in 1740, when George Washington was just an eight-year-old boy, the church hosted worship until 1840. When the land was sold in 1916, the church had to be taken apart to be moved since it couldn’t be fit under the trolley lines.Wilmington, DE
A remarkable restoration.Situated on stunning parkland in the Bronx, this magnificent Georgian-style home is New York City’s first historic house museum. In May of 1896, New York state laws were changed for the 18th century Van Cortlandt house to be a publicly-owned building under the stewardship of a private organization. The National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York then started their detailed restoration including adding touches honoring the Dutch origins of the Van Cortlandt family.Bronx, NY
One location, four houses and three restored privies.General George Washington slept here, conferred with the French here and probably used the facilities here. So did other families, Revolutionary War soldiers and enslaved people. Tucked in Wethersfield, Connecticut, The Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum is a glimpse into many different lives and experiences during the mid-18th and early-19th centuries.Wethersfield, CT
Out of the line of fire.Most pre-Revolutionary houses didn’t survive fires. But Tate House was in a remote location, which protected it. Now it’s the only pre-Revolutionary house of its kind that’s open to the public in Maine. Fired up yet?Portland, Maine
The Home of the Father of the Bill of Rights. Gunston Hall in Virginia, the home of Founding Father George Mason, is one of the most impressive of America’s colonial era preserved homes. Mason had refined architectural tastes – but it was his political philosophy that left the biggest mark on his country. The ideas of Mason, a Virginia statesman, directly led to the codification of one of the most important documents in our government. His elegant manor on the Potomac River preserves the history of his life, and the importance of his freedoms he sought to protect.Mason Neck, VA
“Schooling thy child.”In 1759, a small plot of land was granted to use as a site for a school for the education of the youth of the area. The building was established as a one-room school house, typical for the day. It is the oldest schoolhouse in Burlington County and New Jersey, and the oldest still standing on its original site. In its first incarnation, the schoolmaster would bill the parents directly for “schooling thy child.”Mount Holly , NJ
Freedom under the chestnut tree.A chestnut tree planted by General William Whipple—husband of Katherine Moffatt—and his enslaved servant, Prince Whipple, after William signed the Declaration of Independence still stands on the property today. If it’s branches and roots could talk, it would tell of Prince’s passion for freedom, Katherine’s ownership of property in her own right, and a family split by the Revolution.Portsmouth, NH
He helped North Carolina get a capital.And a nation come to life. Joel Lane was heavily involved in creating Raleigh and our Constitution. Come see his story.Raleigh , NC
Colonial life at its most beautiful. And brutal. Above the ground, Burgwin-Wright House is a pristine example of Colonial era life at its most luxurious. Below ground are the remnants of the city jail it was built upon. So you get two sides of the Colonial story—including how the Bill of Rights helped create our current justice system—in one fascinating visit.Wilmington, NC
Standing tall in the heart of the Bayou State.Predating the Louisiana Purchase by around seven years is Kent Plantation House, an authentic Creole house that remains today as one of the oldest still-standing structures in the state. But a future as a preserved slice of central Louisiana’s early 18th-century history wasn’t always in the cards for this elevated beauty. Alexandria, LA
Perfectly designed. Perfectly restored. A perfect a place to visit.Liberty Hall will transport you back to 19th Century America—in all its beauty, excitement and contradictions.Frankfort, KY
The house is only half the story.Ximenez-Fatio has a fascinating and colorful history. But that’s only the beginning. The house sits on thousands of years of history, which continue to be unearthed.Saint Augustine, FL
A Hilltop Hideout for Dolley. Today, Washington D.C. is a bustling political and cultural capitol like no other – but it wasn’t always like that. In the earliest decades of the District, the stately mansion now known as Dumbarton House was constructed on a large, quiet hill in the riverfront area of Georgetown. This home, known by many names in its 200+ years, would serve as the residence of the man who signed America’s first money - and a refuge for Dolley Madison as she fled the White House’s destruction. Washington, DC
Is John Haywood the best husband ever?Eliza Haywood didn’t like the family house in Raleigh, so her husband John did the logical thing—he built her a new one.Raleigh, NC
Making the “west” a permanent home.Imagine taking 11 family members, including seven children, from New Jersey to the flat prairie lands now known as Ohio. Where would they live? Luckily, William Betts had a plan. Instead of building something temporary, he made the decision to use the clay from his new found property to build a permanent two-story red brick structure in 1804 to house his family and parents.Cincinnati , Ohio
A hard biscuit to the eye didn’t stop Prescott from becoming a visionary.When he was at Harvard, William Hickling Prescott had his eyesight damaged by a hard biscuit during a particularly rowdy food fight. Despite his compromised eyesight, he still became one of our most influential historians. His numerous histories of Spain and Mexico, along with his unprecedented research methods and notations, were essential in the development of history as a respected and meaningful academic discipline.Boston, MA
Archibald Frew lived beyond his means.Which means you’ll really want to see his house. Frew’s Folly is your chance to see what extravagance looked like in 1815.Charlotte, NC
A bird-lover's paradise.Nestled at the heart of the 100-acre Audubon State Historic Site, discover Oakley Plantation, temporary home of John James Audubon. St. Francisville, LA
A complex coexistence.From the climate of New England to the exotic islands of Hawai’i, Christian missionaries made not only an arduous trip, but one that would change the people and culture forever. Understanding what drove them to bring their religion to the native Hawaiians and the impact that is felt even today is what the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives is all about.Honolulu, Hawaii
Prisoners, parties and the past.The land it sits on was once a fort, occupied by three different country’s armies. The outlines of the structure give evidence of a jail. And more than one bride held her wedding reception here. Like the story of America, the Condé-Charlotte Museum’s history is filled with small details and large discoveries that come together under one roof.
Mobile, AL
Six rooms.Side entrance. Garden by the door. Utopian views. Building a 19th century utopian community began with building a house that could equally accommodate everyone. David Lenz built such a house and it’s been preserved to perfection.New Harmony, IN
A jewel in the old capital.A Palladian double portico, a spiral staircase, and fanlights with spread eagles at the base and dividers, makes the Brown-Stetson-Sanford House a gem in Georgia’s old capital city. Built in 1825 as an inn, its history includes a stint as a private home, and a reincarnation as a tea house in the early 1950s. But perhaps its greatest feature was the way it brought a small town together.Milledgeville, Georgia
A graceful survivor. It’s not often that one room survives while the home it was attached to is torn down. But not every room is like The Oval Ballroom in Fayetteville. It was custom-built onto the north side of the Halliday-Williams House for the reception and ball following the 1830 wedding of Margaret, Robert Halliday's daughter, to John Sandford, and is known for its beauty and graceful shape.Fayetteville, NC
A glimpse of life in the 1830s. A sign of what was to come.Historic Indian Agency House was a stop on the westward expansion. It also offers insights into our troubled relationship with Native Americans.Portage, WI
Most historic houses have one famous owner.Most historic houses have one famous owner. This isn’t most houses. The Craik-Patton House threads its story from General Washington to General Patton.Charleston, WV
A Greek Revival with two relocations and a fire thrown in.Clarke House Museum is a perfect example of a Greek Revival residence. It’s also an example of resilience, resourcefulness and resplendence.Chicago, IL
If you love Greek Revival, you’ve found your Church. Benjamin Church built a perfect example of a Greek Revival residence and it’s been filled with dazzling period artifacts. It’s also been amazingly resorted.Shorewood, WI
Where did they put their clothes?Is a house a home if it doesn’t have any closets? Well, at Plum Grove it is. The beautiful brick home has seven main rooms on two floors, and an attached one-story kitchen, but not one closet. Back then, closets were taxed as rooms. So, the owners, Robert and Friendly Lucas opted to save the money.Iowa City, IA
He was the richest cotton merchant in Savannah. And he had the house to prove it. The Andrew Low House Museum is filled with everything a man of distinction would want in the mid-19th Century. And it’s still impressive in the 21st Century.Savannah, GA
A proud survivor of the Civil War.In the middle of May, 1863, Union troops moved into Jackson, Mississippi and took over. They burned half the town (and perhaps drank a little rum), but the Boyd house, now known as The Oaks House Museum, was spared. Built about 10 years earlier as a modest cottage for a middle-class family, the fact that it escaped the fire allowed generations of the Boyd family to occupy this home for over 100 years.Jackson, MS
Greek-revival holds clues to Austin’s history.Designed and constructed by master builder Abner Cook, this home was witness to the Civil War and was home to boarders, immigrants, Federal soldiers, an acting Governor of Texas and two prominent families. And yet the couple who originally had it built never lived in it for even one day.Austin, TX
A time capsule is a window to the past.The original residents of the curious Octagon House in San Francisco, California left one that lay hidden for 92 years. Learn about what this family—living at the tail end of a Gold Rush and the infancy of a major war—left in theirs and how it was found so many years later. San Francisco, CA
The madam, the slipper and the bank vault. As the oldest building in Shreveport, the Spring Street Historical Museum now lives to tell the tales of a rough and tumble town that was once a gateway to the wild west. Inside the museum, visitors can learn about the history of this 1866 bank building, see the 1854 wedding slipper of Isabel Butler, great-granddaughter of Martha Custis Washington, and gaze upon the chair of the town’s local madam and philanthropist. What would George say?Shreveport, LA
Greek Revival with a Southern Accent.The Dorr House boasts all the classic Greek Revival elements with tasteful and clever nods to the Southern heat. It all adds up to a classically cool stroll through the late 19th century.Pensacola, FL
New mansion outrageously priced at $41K.In May 1849, Alexander Ramsey, his young wife and son moved west after he was appointed the first territorial governor to Minnesota. While serving as a U.S. Senator, he built a remarkable “dream home” equipped with the latest technology: hot and cold running water, gas lighting, and hot water radiators for the extravagant price of $41,000.Saint Paul, MN
A house with Quaker roots built to withstand winds that could topple a train.As Americans moved farther and farther west across the continent, they encountered conditions, terrain and weather they had never seen before. What would become Colorado Springs had no permanent homes—until McAllister built a house for the ages.Colorado Springs, CO
First class hotel and restaurant owner with intriguing past.When you’re a chef’s apprentice turned journalist who’s accused of plagiarism and deserts the U.S. Army to later become a hero in a mining blast, what do you do next? Start one of the finest hotels and restaurants in the rough and tumble territory now known as Colorado. That’s just part of the story of Louis Dupuy and Hotel de Paris Museum.Georgetown, CO
A boom town born in the shadow of a log cabin.George Mandel wanted to be a postmaster. His log cabin post office made him so much more and helped establish a boom town on the Bozeman Trail.Sheridan, WY
The President and the pears. Being an orphan wasn’t easy. But Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the U.S., was lucky enough to have loving relatives who took him in and gave him a home to grow up in Oregon. His only issue were the back yard pear trees.Newberg, OR
How the 23rd state is also an original colony.Maine wants everyone to know that its claim of being an original colony is legitimate, so they wrote it in stone at the Kittery Bridge.Kittery, ME
History is a slippery thing.Just ask David Thomson. David Thomson is remembered at Old Odiorne Pointe Cemetery for settling New Hampshire, for fairly treating Native Americans and for having a huge impact on Colonial America. So why is he almost entirely forgotten?Rye, NH
British General gets more of a fight from the Pennsylvania wilderness than French soldiers.Still becomes a hero. Brig. Gen. John Forbes captured Fort Duquesne on what is now the The Point in Pittsburgh—and gave the city its name. But his real legacy is the 300 mile road he and his troops hacked through the dense and unforgiving Pennsylvania wilderness.Pittsburgh, PA
How part of a house can paint a complete picture.The Founder’s Exhibit at the Okefenokee Heritage Center is a partial rebuild of the area’s very first house. You’ll be totally impressed.Waycross, GA
A holy mess. The initial years of the first permanent English settlement in the Americas, Jamestown, were rough to say the least. We’re talking famine descending into cannibalism rough. Despite their lack of preparation and inflexibility, the Jamestown settlers made it. Their buildings weren’t so lucky. The fifth church, built in the 1680s, was facing almost total ruin by the turn of the 20th century. But the story doesn’t end there.Williamsburg, VA
Remembering the Maine… and so much more.Shortly after America’s victory in the Spanish-American War, a young organization made up entirely of women—The Colonial Dames—conceived, designed, and built a monument. It was the first ever national memorial created by a national society of women.Arlington, VA
Merci, y’all!!.The French colonized North America up and down the Mississippi River. Get a sense of their influence, architecture and culture at the Centre for French Colonial Life Museum in Ste. Genevieve.Sainte Genevieve, MO
