Lafayette-Durfee House
Encyclopedia
Lafayette-Durfee House is a historic house located at 94 Cherry Street in Fall River, Massachusetts
. The house was originally located at the site of the current Fall River Superior Courthouse
on North Main Street, and owned by Judge Thomas Durfee. While the exact date of its construction is not known, it is estimated to have been built before 1750.
The large property which the house was originally situated on stretched from the shore the Taunton River
all the way to North Watuppa Pond
. However, Thomas Durfee mortgaged all of his land to help finance the American Revolution
. His son Joseph, became a colonel and served with the Marquis de Lafayette at the Battle of White Plains
, New York and also in Rhode Island
. The Durfees would host Lafayette at their home in the summer of 1778, as well on other occasions.
About 1872 the house was moved to its current location on Cherry Street. It was owned by members of the Lewin family until 1936.
In 1973, with the help of Caroline Durfee, a descendant of Thomas Durfee, a group was formed to preserve the house. During the United States Bicentennial
year of 1976, a time capsule was placed in the base of one of the fireplaces.
The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1982. Today, a non-profit group maintains the house and gives tours during the summer months.
Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
. The house was originally located at the site of the current Fall River Superior Courthouse
Bristol County Superior Court (Fall River, Massachusetts), Massachusetts
Bristol County Superior Court is a historic courthouse at 441 N. Main Street in Fall River, Massachusetts.The courthouse was built in 1889 and added to the National Historic Register in 1983.-See also:...
on North Main Street, and owned by Judge Thomas Durfee. While the exact date of its construction is not known, it is estimated to have been built before 1750.
The large property which the house was originally situated on stretched from the shore the Taunton River
Taunton River
The Taunton River , is a river in southeastern Massachusetts in the United States. It arises from the confluence of the Town River and Matfield River, in the town of Bridgewater...
all the way to North Watuppa Pond
Watuppa Ponds
The Watuppa Ponds are two large, naturally occurring, spring-fed, glacially formed ponds located in Fall River and Westport, Massachusetts. The two ponds were originally one, connected by a narrow channel near what is now the boundary between Fall River and Westport.North Watuppa Pond is the...
. However, Thomas Durfee mortgaged all of his land to help finance the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. His son Joseph, became a colonel and served with the Marquis de Lafayette at the Battle of White Plains
Battle of White Plains
The Battle of White Plains was a battle in the New York and New Jersey campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought on October 28, 1776, near White Plains, New York. Following the retreat of George Washington's Continental Army northward from New York City, British General William Howe landed...
, New York and also in Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
. The Durfees would host Lafayette at their home in the summer of 1778, as well on other occasions.
About 1872 the house was moved to its current location on Cherry Street. It was owned by members of the Lewin family until 1936.
In 1973, with the help of Caroline Durfee, a descendant of Thomas Durfee, a group was formed to preserve the house. During the United States Bicentennial
United States Bicentennial
The United States Bicentennial was a series of celebrations and observances during the mid-1970s that paid tribute to the historical events leading up to the creation of the United States as an independent republic...
year of 1976, a time capsule was placed in the base of one of the fireplaces.
The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1982. Today, a non-profit group maintains the house and gives tours during the summer months.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Fall River, Massachusetts
- List of historic houses in Massachusetts