Austin F. Williams Carriagehouse and House

Austin F. Williams Carriagehouse and House
Location 127 Main St., Farmington, Connecticut
Coordinates 41°43′21.5″N 72°49′40.7″W / 41.722639°N 72.827972°W / 41.722639; -72.827972Coordinates: 41°43′21.5″N 72°49′40.7″W / 41.722639°N 72.827972°W / 41.722639; -72.827972
Area 2.6 acres (1.1 ha)
Built 1842[1]:4
Architect Chauncy Wells and Cephas Skinner
Architectural style Greek Revival
Part of Farmington Historic District (#72001331)
NRHP Reference # 98001190
Significant dates
Added to NRHP August 5, 1998[2]
Designated NHL August 6, 1998[3]
Designated CP March 17, 1972

The Austin F. Williams Carriagehouse and House is a historic house at 127 Main Street in Farmington, Connecticut. Built in the mid-19th century, the property was designated a National Historic Landmark for the role it played in the celebrated case of the Amistad Africans, and as a "station" on the Underground Railroad.

Description ahd history

Austin Williams (1805–1885) and his wife Jennet Cowles Williams were abolitionists.[1] Their property first became important in the Amistad case. When the Mende men who had participated in the revolt on the slave ship La Amistad were released from prison in 1841. Williams purchased this property and erected a dormitory building in which the Mende men could stay while awaiting arrangements for their return to Africa.[1] Williams was friends with Lewis Tappan who was assisting the Africans. The structure that was built is now part of the carriage house.[3] The men did agricultural work during this period. In 1842, the Williams's built their Greek revival house. The cellar of the carriage house served as a hiding place for escaping slaves as a part of the Underground Railroad.[1]

The site was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1998.[1][3] It is located at 127 Main Street in Farmington and is part of the Farmington Historic District. The house is a private residence and is not open to the public.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Cunningham, Jan (September 15, 1996). "National Historic Landmark Nomination: Austin F. Williams Carriagehouse and House" (pdf). National Park Service. and Accompanying 10 photos, exterior and interior, from 1996 and undated (3.49 MB)
  2. ↑ National Park Service (2007-01-23). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  3. 1 2 3 "Austin F. Williams Carriagehouse and House". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-27.
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