Richard Jackson House
Encyclopedia
The Richard Jackson House in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
, USA, is the oldest surviving wood frame house in New Hampshire
or Maine
. This National Historic Landmark
was built in 1664 by Richard Jackson, a woodworker, farmer, and mariner, on his family's 25 acres (10.1 ha) plot. Jackson's house resembles English post-medieval prototypes, but is notably American in its extravagant use of wood. Succeeding generations added a lean-to and more rooms to the east to accommodate several different family groups sharing the property at once.
The founder of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (SPNEA), William Sumner Appleton
, acquired the house for SPNEA, now known as Historic New England
, in 1924 from a member of the seventh generation of Jacksons to live there.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1968.
It is located at 76 Northwest Street in Portsmouth, on an inlet of the Piscataqua River
. Another SPNEA house, the George Rogers House
, is adjacent, just 80 feet (24.4 m) away.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth is a city in Rockingham County, New Hampshire in the United States. It is the largest city but only the fourth-largest community in the county, with a population of 21,233 at the 2010 census...
, USA, is the oldest surviving wood frame house in New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
or Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. This National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
was built in 1664 by Richard Jackson, a woodworker, farmer, and mariner, on his family's 25 acres (10.1 ha) plot. Jackson's house resembles English post-medieval prototypes, but is notably American in its extravagant use of wood. Succeeding generations added a lean-to and more rooms to the east to accommodate several different family groups sharing the property at once.
The founder of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (SPNEA), William Sumner Appleton
William Sumner Appleton
William Sumner Appleton, Jr. was Founder of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities in 1910. He was the chief force behind much of the preservation of historic homes in the New England area...
, acquired the house for SPNEA, now known as Historic New England
Historic New England
Historic New England, previously known as the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities , is a charitable, non-profit, historic preservation organization headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. It is focused on New England and is the oldest and largest regional preservation...
, in 1924 from a member of the seventh generation of Jacksons to live there.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1968.
It is located at 76 Northwest Street in Portsmouth, on an inlet of the Piscataqua River
Piscataqua River
The Piscataqua River, in the northeastern United States, is a long tidal estuary formed by the confluence of the Salmon Falls and Cocheco rivers...
. Another SPNEA house, the George Rogers House
George Rogers House (New Hampshire)
The George Rogers House in Portsmouth, New Hampshire was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. This house was preserved by the SPNEA. It is adjacent to another, the Richard Jackson House, which is a National Historic Landmark....
, is adjacent, just 80 feet (24.4 m) away.