Rundlet-May House
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Rundlet-May House | |
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Rundlet-May House | |
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| Location |
364 Middle St Portsmouth, New Hampshire |
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| Coordinates | 43°04′17″N 70°45′45″W / 43.07139°N 70.76250°WCoordinates: 43°04′17″N 70°45′45″W / 43.07139°N 70.76250°W |
| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| NRHP Reference # | [1] |
| Added to NRHP | June 7, 1976 |
The Rundlet-May House is a historic house at 364 Middle Street in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States. The three story wood frame house was built in 1807 by James Rundlet, who acquired his wealth in the textile trade. Rundlet imported his wallpapers from England and purchased his furniture from local cabinetmakers, whose work was noted for its fine craftsmanship and striking use of veneer. Rundlet also saw to it that his house was equipped with the latest technologies. The kitchen boasts both a Rumford roaster and a Rumford range, as well as a set kettle and an elaborate venting system that services a smoke room on the third floor. There is an early coal-fired central heating system and an indoor well. Details of the house's construction are well-documented, because Rundlet and his heirs retained detailed records of work done on it.[2]
Ralph May, a descendant of Rundlet, gave the property to the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, now Historic New England. The house contains many of its original furnishings, as well as some pieces added by later generations. The formal gardens, orchard, and attached outbuildings (including two privies) remain as first used by Rundlet, and there is also a small pet cemetery on the grounds.[2]
The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.[1] It is open to the public on weekends between June and October.
References
- 1 2 National Park Service (2007-01-23). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
- 1 2 "NRHP nomination for Rundlet-May House" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2014-07-11.