National Historic Landmark

Williams, Austin F., Carriagehouse and House

Farmington, Hartford County, Connecticut
Listed
August 4, 1998
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
98001190

About this property

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. Austin Williams (1805–1885) and his wife Jennet Cowles Williams were abolitionists. This 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. Williams was friends with Lewis Tappan who was assisting the Africans. The structure that was built is now part of the carriage house. The men did agricultural work during this period. In 1842, the Williamses 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. The site was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1998. 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. List of National Historic Landmarks in Connecticut National Register of Historic Places listings in Hartford County, Connecticut Amistad: Seeking Freedom in Connecticut, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary Aboard the Underground Railroad: Austin F. Williams Carriagehouse and House, National Park Service

Location

127 Main Street
Farmington, Hartford County, Connecticut
41.71724, -72.83341

Categories

SOCIAL HISTORY
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Cowles, Gen. George, House
Industrial
0.1 mi
Farmington Historic District
Colonial
0.2 mi
First Church of Christ
Industrial
0.3 mi
Pequabuck Bridge
Industrial
0.3 mi
Stanley-Whitman House
Industrial
0.5 mi

Questions about this property

When was Williams, Austin F., Carriagehouse and House listed on the National Register?

Williams, Austin F., Carriagehouse and House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 4, 1998.

What type of historic resource is Williams, Austin F., Carriagehouse and House?

Williams, Austin F., Carriagehouse and House is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Williams, Austin F., Carriagehouse and House a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Williams, Austin F., Carriagehouse and House has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Williams, Austin F., Carriagehouse and House?

The period of significance for Williams, Austin F., Carriagehouse and House is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Williams, Austin F., Carriagehouse and House?

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