Artemas Ward Homestead
Address786, Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA, United States of America, 01545
Site Number109
Building Root Number
N/A
Architect (Original)
Unknown
Constructed
1727
Building Acquired 1925
Building Acquired 1925
StatusActive
Site Name HistoryThe site is named for General Artemas Ward, Harvard class of 1748 & 1751. General Ward was a much decorated commander in the American Revolutionary War. He was a commander at the Battle of Bunker Hill and second in seniority only to George Washington.Historical NotesLocated in Shrewsbury, Mass, the Artemas Ward Homestead was given to Harvard by descendants of Artemas Ward, first commander-in-chief of the patriot forces during the American Revolution. The house currently operates as an historic house museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The homestead also includes a number of outbuildings, including the enormous barn, the caretaker’s cottage, and the milk house. The outbuildings underwent as much change as the house, with smaller buildings being combined or converted into different uses.
Additional Information
“Artemas Ward Leaves Bequest to Harvard.” Springfield Republican, 27 Mar. 1925, p. 3.
“Artemas Ward Left Harvard Millions: Advertising Man’s Son to Have $1,000,000 Residuary Estate as Memorial of Ancestor, Revolutionary General.” Boston Daily Globe, 31 Mar. 1926, p. 5.
“Artemas Ward Estate Residue Left to Harvard.” Chicago Daily Tribune, 27 Mar. 1925, p. 1.
Staff, John Lenger Gazette. “This Old House: General’s Historic Homestead, Long a Puzzle for Harvard, Has Potential as Teaching Museum.” Harvard Gazette, May 2003, https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2003/05/this-old-house/.
