Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site

The Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site is a state-owned property in New Madrid, Missouri, maintained by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as a historic house museum and state historic site.[4] The Hunter-Dawson House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.[5]

Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site
Map showing the location of Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site
Map showing the location of Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site
Map showing the location of Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site
Map showing the location of Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site
LocationNew Madrid, New Madrid County, Missouri, United States
Coordinates36°35′45″N 89°31′26″W / 36.59583°N 89.52389°W / 36.59583; -89.52389
Area19.8 acres (8.0 ha)[1]
Established1967[2]
Visitors3,304 (in 2022)[3]
Governing bodyMissouri Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteHunter-Dawson State Historic Site
Hunter-Dawson House
Nearest cityNew Madrid, Missouri
Area19 acres (7.7 ha)
Built1859 (1859)
Built byNewhouse, William (carpenter)
Architectural styleGreek Revival, Italianate
NRHP reference No.12000563
Added to NRHPAugust 28, 2012

History

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The 15-room Hunter-Dawson House was constructed between 1859 and 1860 for the wealthy and influential family of William Washington Hunter and his wife Amanda. William Hunter was a Virginian by way of Potosi, Missouri. Mr. Hunter was a merchant, farmer, and real estate investor. He died from yellow fever shortly before construction started, and his wife Amanda completed the project. Local craftsmen and at least some of the Hunter family's slaves constructed the house.[6] Amanda's daughter Ella and her husband William Dawson inherited the house in 1876. The house remained in the family until 1958, and was purchased by the city in 1966 before being donated to the state of Missouri. The museum retains an estimated 80% of Amanda Dawson's original furniture.[4][7]

References

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  1. ^ "Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site: Data Sheet" (PDF). Missouri Department of Natural Resources. November 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  2. ^ "State Park Land Acquisition Summary". Missouri State Parks. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  3. ^ "Missouri State Park Attendance For January - December, 2022" (PDF). Missouri State Parks. February 3, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  5. ^ "Hunter-Dawson House". NPGallery. National Park Service. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  6. ^ "Hunter-Dawson House" (PDF). Missouri State Parks. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  7. ^ Julie Ann Lamouria; Roger Maserang (July 2012). "Hunter-Dawson House" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form. Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved May 21, 2018. (includes 12 photographs from 2011)
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