The Governor John S. Barry House is a private house located at 280 N. Washington Street in Constantine, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[1] It currently houses the Governor John S. Barry Museum.[2]
Gov. John S. Barry House | |
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| Location | 280 N. Washington St., Constantine, Michigan |
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| Coordinates | 41°50′44″N 85°40′19″W / 41.84556°N 85.67194°W |
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1835 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001308[1] |
| Added to NRHP | March 16, 1972 |
History
editJohn S. Barry was born and educated in New England in 1802. While there, he was a member of Vermont's governor's staff and a captain in the militia, as well as practicing law privately. In 1831, he moved to White Pigeon, Michigan; three years later he moved to Constantine. In 1835 he purchased this property and constructed a house on it. While living in Constantine, he served as a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1835, as a state senator in 1837, and as governor from 1841–44 and 1849-50. He retired from politics in 1852, and operated a large store. Barry sold this house in 1847.[3]
The house passed through a number of owners, but by the mid-20th century was vacant and deteriorating. The Governor Barry Historical Society purchased the house in the late 1960s and transformed it into a museum.[3] As of 2017, the building still houses the Governor John S. Barry Museum.[2]
Description
editThe Barry House is a two-story, white-painted wood frame structure with a solid stone foundation, measuring approximately 24 feet by 76 feet. The windows are double-hung six over six lights with green shutters. The entry door has sidelights and opens into a large hall. There are seven rooms on the first floor, including two large parlors, and five rooms on the second floor.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ a b "History". Village of Constantine. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- ^ a b c Constance Henslee (August 13, 1971), NATIONAL REGISTER OP HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -NOMINATION FORM: Governor John S. Barry House (note: large pdf file)