Colonel John Ashley House
Built in 1735 by Colonel John Ashley, a powerful local figure and an outspoken supporter of the Revolutionary War, this was also the site of one of the most important events in the history of slavery in Massachusetts. By the time of his death in 1802, Ashley had amassed wealth and land – over 3,000 acres.
His financial success was based in part on the labor of five enslaved African Americans who worked on his farm and in his home. Elizabeth “Mumbett” Freeman, who was enslaved in the Ashley household, took the new language of the Massachusetts constitution claiming that“all men are created equal” to heart. In 1781, she sued for her freedom – and won. This began the breakdown of the institution of slavery throughout the Commonwealth.
The home on this site is the original built by Colonel Ashley. Although it has been moved from it’s original location down the street, it is the oldest recorded house in Berkshire County. Separate from the house, you will find the Elizabeth Freeman Interpretive Center — open during daylight hours– which houses an exhibit about this amazing story and which also provides space for special events and programs.
The Ashley House is an anchor site on the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail, which encompasses 29 Massachusetts and Connecticut towns, and celebrates African Americans in the region who played pivotal roles in key national and international events, as well as ordinary people of achievement.
Property highlights include a fine collection of redware, furniture, and tools; a family-friendly “Rocks, Roads, and Revolution Quest” to explore the landscape; and tours, programs, and special events throughout the year. The Ashley House is adjacent to Bartholomew’s Cobble, which was originally part of Col. Ashley’s property holdings and now is a National Natural Landmark that offers over 5 miles of scenic trails.
The Colonel John Ashley House is owned and managed by The Trustees of Reservations. The grounds are open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset; the house is open seasonally for tours and for groups by advance reservation. Allow a minimum of 1 hour for the Ashley House, 3 hours if also visiting Bartholomew’s Cobble. Visit our website or call for tour and programs times.
Jumba la Kanali John Ashley lilijengwa mwaka 1735 na Kanali John Ashley, mtu mashuhuri wa eneo hilo na msaidizi wa vita vya uhuru, na pia lilikuwa eneo la moja ya matukio muhimu zaidi katika historia ya utumwa huko Massachusetts. Alipokufa mwaka wa 1802, Ashley alikuwa amekusanya mali na ardhi ya ekari zaidi ya 3,000 (akra 3,000). Mafanikio yake ya kifedha yalitokana na kazi ya watumwa watano wa Kiafrika-Wamarekani waliofanya kazi katika shamba lake na nyumbani kwake. Elizabeth "Mumbett" Freeman, ambaye alikuwa mtumwa katika nyumba ya Ashley, alichukua lugha mpya ya katiba ya Massachusetts akidai kwamba "wanadamu wote wameumbwa sawa" kwa moyo. Katika 1781 alishtakiwa kwa uhuru wake na alishinda. Hilo lilianza kuvunjika kwa utumwa katika Jumuiya ya Madola. Nyumba iliyo katika eneo hili ni ile ya awali iliyojengwa na Kanali Ashley. Ingawa imehamishwa kutoka eneo lake la awali chini ya barabara, ni nyumba ya zamani zaidi iliyorekodiwa katika Kaunti ya Berkshire. Mbali na nyumba, utapata Elizabeth Freeman Interpretive Center - wazi wakati wa saa za mchana - ambayo nyumba maonyesho kuhusu hadithi hii ya ajabu na ambayo pia hutoa nafasi kwa ajili ya matukio maalum na programu. Ashley House ni kituo cha anchor kwenye Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail, ambayo inajumuisha miji 29 ya Massachusetts na Connecticut, na inaadhimisha Wamarekani wa Kiafrika katika mkoa ambao walicheza majukumu muhimu katika matukio muhimu ya kitaifa na kimataifa, pamoja na watu wa kawaida wa mafanikio. Vitu muhimu vya mali ni pamoja na mkusanyiko mzuri wa redware, fanicha, na zana; familia-kirafiki <unk>Rocks, Roads, na Mapinduzi Quest<unk> kuchunguza mazingira; na ziara, programu, na matukio maalum mwaka mzima. Nyumba ya Ashley iko karibu na Bartholomew's Cobble, ambayo awali ilikuwa sehemu ya mali ya Colonel Ashley na sasa ni National Natural Landmark ambayo inatoa zaidi ya maili 5 za njia za mandhari. Nyumba ya Kanali John Ashley inamilikiwa na kusimamiwa na Wadhamini wa Hifadhi. Maeneo ni wazi mwaka mzima, kila siku, jua kutoka mapambazuko hadi machweo; nyumba ni wazi msimu kwa ajili ya ziara na kwa ajili ya makundi kwa reservation mapema. Wakati wa ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara ya ziara. Tembelea tovuti yetu au piga simu kwa ajili ya ziara na programu nyakati.