Artemas Ward Homestead - Main House
Address786, Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA, United States of America, 01545
Site Number109A
Building Root Number
06001
Architect (Original)
Nahum Ward
Constructed
1727
Building Acquired 1925
Building Acquired 1925
StatusActive
Site Name HistoryThe site is named after its function. The site is also 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 NotesThe Artemas Ward House was built as a small salt-box between 1720 and 1730 in the new settlement of Shrewsbury. Though it was built for Nahum Ward on the farm that would remain in the Ward family for generations, it was not the family home. It served as a tenant home until Artemas Ward moved in with his family in 1763. It was expanded in 1785 and 1830 to accommodate two families at a time, as well as farm hands and domestic help.The house 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.
Additional Information
“Artemas Ward Estate Residue Left to Harvard.” Chicago Daily Tribune, 27 Mar. 1925, p. 1.
“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 Leaves Bequest to Harvard.” Springfield Republican, 27 Mar. 1925, p. 3.
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/.
