Gen. Artemas Ward Homestead
Encyclopedia
The Gen. Artemas Ward Homestead is a historic property in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
. Commonly known as the "Artemas Ward House", it is the lifelong home of Artemas Ward
, American
Major General
in the American Revolutionary War
and a Congressman
from Massachusetts
. Today, the house is a Nationally Registered Historic Place.
The house has stood at 786 Main Street since it was built by Ward's father, Nahum, in 1727. Its location is along the original Boston Post Road
, and an original mile marker of that road is still visible across Main Street on the Dean Park side.
Many additions were made to the house over the years and the main structure was occupied by Ward family members until 1909. From 1909 until 1954 descendants of the general lived in a second structure situated behind the colonial home.
The home is now a museum preserved by Harvard University
and it is open to the public for limited hours during the summer months. The property also includes a four story barn, the largest structure of its kind in New England.
Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 31,640 people, 12,366 households, and 8,693 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 12,696 housing units at an average density of...
. Commonly known as the "Artemas Ward House", it is the lifelong home of Artemas Ward
Artemas Ward
Artemas Ward was an American major general in the American Revolutionary War and a Congressman from Massachusetts...
, American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
in the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
and a Congressman
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
from Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. Today, the house is a Nationally Registered Historic Place.
The house has stood at 786 Main Street since it was built by Ward's father, Nahum, in 1727. Its location is along the original Boston Post Road
Boston Post Road
The Boston Post Road was a system of mail-delivery routes between New York City and Boston, Massachusetts that evolved into the first major highways in the United States.The three major alignments were the Lower Post Road The Boston Post Road was a system of mail-delivery routes between New York...
, and an original mile marker of that road is still visible across Main Street on the Dean Park side.
Many additions were made to the house over the years and the main structure was occupied by Ward family members until 1909. From 1909 until 1954 descendants of the general lived in a second structure situated behind the colonial home.
The home is now a museum preserved by Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
and it is open to the public for limited hours during the summer months. The property also includes a four story barn, the largest structure of its kind in New England.
External links
- Artemas Ward Museum - official site