Weeks Estate
Encyclopedia
The Weeks Estate is a historic estate on U.S. Route 3
in Lancaster, New Hampshire
. The 420 acres (170 ha) property is a New Hampshire state park.
It was built in 1912 for John Wingate Weeks, U.S. Representative from Massachusetts and a Lancaster native. Weeks would later (1921-1925) be the United States Secretary of War
. He was responsible for passage of the Weeks Act
in 1911, allowing for the establishment of national forests in the eastern United States, including the White Mountain National Forest
. The estate, located at the summit of 627 metres (2,057.1 ft) Prospect Mountain, affords 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside, from the White Mountains
to the south and east, to the Green Mountains
in Vermont
to the west, and the Connecticut River
valley to the north.
The property was given to the state of New Hampshire in 1941 by Weeks' children, and the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1985.
U.S. Route 3
U.S. Route 3 is a north–south United States highway that runs from its southern terminus in Cambridge, Massachusetts through New Hampshire to its terminus near Third Connecticut Lake at the Canadian border, where the road continues north as Quebec Route 257.In New Hampshire parts of US 3 are...
in Lancaster, New Hampshire
Lancaster, New Hampshire
Lancaster is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, USA, on the Connecticut River named after Lancaster, England. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 3,507, the second largest in the county after Berlin. It is the county seat of Coos County and gateway to the Great North Woods Region...
. The 420 acres (170 ha) property is a New Hampshire state park.
It was built in 1912 for John Wingate Weeks, U.S. Representative from Massachusetts and a Lancaster native. Weeks would later (1921-1925) be the United States Secretary of War
United States Secretary of War
The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
. He was responsible for passage of the Weeks Act
Weeks Act
The Weeks Act is a federal law passed by the US Congress on 1 March 1911 in the United States. The law, introduced by Congressman John W. Weeks of Massachusetts, authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to "Examine, locate and recommend for purchase ... such lands within the watersheds of navigable...
in 1911, allowing for the establishment of national forests in the eastern United States, including the White Mountain National Forest
White Mountain National Forest
The White Mountain National Forest is a federally-managed forest contained within the White Mountains in the northeastern United States. It was established in 1918 as a result of the Weeks Act of 1911; federal acquisition of land had already begun in 1914. It has a total area of...
. The estate, located at the summit of 627 metres (2,057.1 ft) Prospect Mountain, affords 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside, from the White Mountains
White Mountains (New Hampshire)
The White Mountains are a mountain range covering about a quarter of the state of New Hampshire and a small portion of western Maine in the United States. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, they are considered the most rugged mountains in New England...
to the south and east, to the Green Mountains
Green Mountains
The Green Mountains are a mountain range in the U.S. state of Vermont. The range extends approximately .-Peaks:The most notable mountains in the range include:*Mount Mansfield, , the highest point in Vermont*Killington Peak, *Mount Ellen,...
in Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
to the west, and the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
valley to the north.
The property was given to the state of New Hampshire in 1941 by Weeks' children, and the building 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 1985.