WAKEFIELD — The Col. James Hartshorne House Association invites you to join! The house, whose oldest section dates to around 1681, is the oldest public building in the Town of Wakefield.
Owned by the town since 1929, the National Register-listed property has been managed since the 1930s by the nonprofit Col. Hartshorne House Association, which cares for the everyday maintenance of the house and grounds. The volunteer organization holds fundraising events and rents the first floor of the house out for small functions like family reunions, birthday parties and showers. We invite you to join us as a member or director in working together to preserve this important piece of Wakefield’s history.
Members receive a notification of upcoming events; life members enjoy a 15% discount on house rentals as well. Membership Levels are $30 for an individual; $45 for Families, $110 for Life/Gold Membership or $210 for Corporate Membership. Additional donations for house maintenance and preservation are also welcome. Life members enjoy discounts on House Rentals. More information on events and membership information can be found on the website at www.hartshornehouse.org.
The extreme western room of the house was built by Tom and Mary Hodgman; it grew slowly through a variety of owners and was doubled in size by Josiah Cowdrey, a clock maker and metal worker in the 1700s. It reached its current size and shape by 1800 while owned by Dr. John Hart, a Revolutionary War veteran who was the town’s doctor. The name “Hartshorne” came from James Hartshorne who purchased the house in 1803 and lived there for fifty years.
Come visit during the Town of Wakefield’s upcoming May 31st Rededication Day, when the Town will celebrate its history in an afternoon of interactive history events and presentations rededicating the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Wakefield Common. The Hartshorne House will be open from 12:00 to 2:30 for visitors to find out what life was like on the Homefront during the Civil War,— and have the opportunity to visit our historic house!
Upcoming on the morning of June 14th will be our annual Hartshorne House Breakfast … with a modern twist, when delicious healthy meals will be served from a food truck in front of the House! Your meal can be enjoyed inside the House or eaten at tables set up in the lovely Hartshorne House Gardens behind the House.
On August 7th, from 6-8 p.m., join us for the annual Ice Cream Social.
As we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary, we invite the public to ‘come home’ to the Hartshorne House and join as a member or director to assist in the effort to preserve it. More information on events and membership information can be found on the website at www.hartshornehouse.org.