Gov. George S. Boutwell House, building in Massachusetts, United States
Gov. George S. Boutwell House is a wood-frame building with two and a half stories located on Main Street in Groton, built in 1851 in the Italianate style of its time. The main structure includes later additions from the 1800s, featuring a centered entrance protected by a flat portico, decorative quoining at the corners, and small brackets beneath the eaves.
The house was built in 1851 for George S. Boutwell, who later served as governor of Massachusetts and US senator, and played a role in President Andrew Johnson's impeachment proceedings. After Boutwell's lifetime, the house remained in the family until it was bequeathed to the Groton Historical Society in 1933, becoming a center for preserving local history.
The house was a place where local leaders and notable figures like President Grant were received and entertained. The red drawing room served as a formal space for hosting important guests, reflecting how prominent families conducted their social and political life during that era.
The house is open several days a week, with regular afternoon hours on Fridays; group tours and research appointments are available by arrangement on other days. A side ramp provides accessible entry for visitors with varying mobility needs, and an online virtual tour allows exploration from home for those unable to visit in person.
The house contains the bed where President Ulysses S. Grant slept during an 1869 visit, a period sleigh bed that later belonged to Boutwell's daughter Georgianna. Visitors can also view historic maps painted by Dana Somes specifically for Groton's 300th anniversary, depicting the town center as it appeared in 1930.
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