Built 1903 Opened 1903 Added to NRHP 7 January 1987 | NRHP Reference # 86003648 Area 3,642 m² | |
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Location 311 West Retta EsplanadePunta Gorda, Florida Similar Blanchard House Museum, Punta Gorda Woman's, Old First National Bank of P, Punta Gorda Atlantic C, H W Smith Building | ||
The A. C. Freeman House (also known as the Gilchrist House) is a historic home in Punta Gorda, Florida. It is located at 311 West Retta Esplanade. In 1987 it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The house now includes a museum of local history operated by the Punta Gorda Historical Society, as well as offices of the town's Chamber of Commerce.
It was deemed significant for reflecting Queen Anne style architecture, asserted to be rare in South Florida, and for association with businessman and politician Augustus C. Freeman. Freeman owned a hardware store and a citrus grove, among other ventures. He served in various city government positions from 1896 to 1904, including as mayor during the later four or five years. During the 1902 mayoral campaign he was described as "'Industrious, frugal and obliging. . . well-to-do, but probably not a millionaire'".
The land was purchased by Freeman in 1903 from Albert Gilchrist, who later became Governor of the state, and there has been a local legend that the house belonged to him, but in fact it was built for Freeman.
The house was moved two blocks in 1985 before a restoration began, but the move was not deemed to have disturbed historic integrity.