Built 1683 Designated NHL October 9, 1960 Area 4,500 m² Added to NRHP 15 October 1966 | NRHP Reference # 66000139 Opened 1683 Architectural style Elizabethan architecture | |
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Owner Topsfield Historical Society Similar Gould Barn ‑ Topsfield Historical, Boardman House, Fairbanks House, John Whipple House, Parson Barnard House | ||
Parson capen house tour
The Parson Capen House is a historic house in Topsfield, Massachusetts, that was built in the late 17th century. It has drawn attention as an example of early colonial architecture and due to its well-preserved condition compared to other houses built at that time.
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History
The Capen house was built on a 12-acre (49,000 m2) lot in 1683 as the parsonage for the local Congregational Church. It is located at what is now 1 Howlett Street, next to the Topsfield Common. It was first owned by the Reverend Joseph Capen, who had moved to Topsfield from Dorchester. His wife had seen the previous parsonage and was disappointed by its condition. The family lived there for over forty years. At the time that it was built, it was considered to be the best house in the town.
The house was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960. It is one of the best preserved homes from its period in New England. The Topsfield Historical Society currently operates it as a historic house museum.
Architecture
The Capen house was built with English style architecture, and it bears a strong resemblance to many houses in England.
The house features overhangs called jetties at the front and sides, but not the rear, of the building. Although many have assumed that the overhangs were intended as protection from Native Americans, they were primarily decorative and also served to shield people from rain. The house has a small entrance hallway leading to the staircase. It contains four rooms, each of which contains a fireplace. It has exposed low ceilings with wooden beams.
The house has a pilastered chimney, which was unusual at the time the house was built. That type of chimney was primarily used in English Manor style houses. The house also has casement windows, each of which has 30 panes. These windows were seen as a luxury when the house was built. Hanging wood pendills, ornaments that were carved by the carpenter who built the house, were also used as decoration.