National Historic Landmark

Johnson, Nathan and Mary (Polly), Properties

New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts
Listed
February 16, 2000
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
00000260

About this property

The Nathan and Mary (Polly) Johnson properties are a National Historic Landmark at 17–19 and 21 Seventh Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Originally the building consisted of two structures, one dating to the 1820s and an 1857 house joined with the older one shortly after construction. They have since been restored and now house the New Bedford Historical Society. The two properties are significant for their association with leading members of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts, and as the only surviving residence in New Bedford (out of three known) of Frederick Douglass. Nathan and Polly Johnson were free African-Americans who are known to have sheltered escaped slaves using the Underground Railroad from 1822 on. Both were also successful in local business; Nathan as a caterer and Polly as a confectioner.

Location

17-19, and 21 Seventh Street
New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts
41.63307, -70.92872

Categories

BLACKSOCIAL 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

Central New Bedford Historic District
Listed
0.1 mi
First Baptist Church
Industrial
0.1 mi
County Street Historic District
Listed
0.2 mi
Rotch, William Jr., House
Industrial
0.2 mi
Rotch, William J., Gothic Cottage
Industrial
0.2 mi

Nearby Battles

British Raid on New Bedford and Fairhaven
1778Revolutionary War
0.4 mi
British Raid on Bedford and Fairhaven
1778Revolutionary War
1.1 mi

Questions about this property

When was Johnson, Nathan and Mary (Polly), Properties listed on the National Register?

Johnson, Nathan and Mary (Polly), Properties was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 16, 2000.

What type of historic resource is Johnson, Nathan and Mary (Polly), Properties?

Johnson, Nathan and Mary (Polly), Properties is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Johnson, Nathan and Mary (Polly), Properties a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Johnson, Nathan and Mary (Polly), Properties 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 Johnson, Nathan and Mary (Polly), Properties?

The period of significance for Johnson, Nathan and Mary (Polly), Properties is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Johnson, Nathan and Mary (Polly), Properties?

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