Colonel John Ashley House

Colonel John Ashley House is a residential structure built around 1735 that displays the building practices of early colonial Massachusetts. The home features wide wooden floorboards, numerous fireplaces distributed throughout, and retains furnishings and details that reflect the living standards of a prosperous 18th-century household.

The house was built in 1735 when the Ashley family held considerable wealth and influence in the region. A century later it became instrumental in the lead-up to American independence, as transformative political documents were written within its walls.

The house served as a gathering place where revolutionary ideas took shape and were debated among local leaders and thinkers. This made it more than just a residence, it became a center for discussing change.

The house is open to visitors only on certain days of the week, particularly during the warmer months from May through October. It is advisable to confirm hours in advance as access and visiting options change seasonally.

A woman named Elizabeth Freeman, also known as Mum Bett, worked as a household servant and pursued legal action to gain her freedom while connected to this home. Her case marked one of the earliest successful legal victories against slavery in the United States.