The History of the Stockbridge House

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The Stockbridge House was built around 1728 (no one knows the exact date). It was made for Hannah Alexander (who is related to Nathaniel Alexander of Northampton). In 1735 the first voting meeting was held in the Stockbridge House. Later in 1756 the population in Amherst out numbered the people of Old Hadley. Because of this Old Hadley decided it would split into two different districts, Hadley and Amherst, which moved the Stockbridge House into Amherst, making it the oldest building in Amherst. Eventually in 1864 the oldest house in Amherst, Mass., became Levi Stockbridge’s prize and passion.

5 facts:

1: The oldest building in Amherst.

2: Woodshed had been converted into a card room.

3: Many of the windows have the original blown-glass panes.

4: Shutters were used for defense against Indian attacks.

5: The house was built 274 years ago, in 1728.

Other facts:

• It sheltered Patriots and Tories during the revolutionary war. 
• It was a meeting place for members of Shays Rebellion in 1786. 
• Daniel Shays was from Pelham. 
• Amherst was once called New Swamp. 
• Samuel Boltwood, the builder of the Stockbridge House, died in 1738 and left the house to his wife. 
• In 1864, Massachusetts Agricultural College as the first purchase for the new school bought the house.

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