In the grand sweep of world history, the U.S. is a young country. Even so, there are plenty of homes built prior to the American Revolution that still stand proud today. Many of these 17th- and 18th-century homes are still livable and in tiptop shape—a few of them worth millions.

On this patriotic weekend, we decided to look at homes built in 1776, when the Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence on July 4th and started the Revolutionary War.

And 246 years later, we’ve found five fascinating structures on the market that stood well before modern farmhouse became chic. While centuries of history are more evident in some of these home than others, it’s still fun to take a peek at how our forefathers lived.

8 Old Coach Rd, Kingston, NH

Price: $750,000
Peaslee Tavern: What a great story! This Colonial structure, once a sort of roadhouse, has been owned and loved by only two families—one for the first 186 years, and the second for the past 60 years.

It has 3,739 square feet of living space, including five bedrooms and 2.5 baths. It features a ballroom with a built-in wooden bench around the perimeter, where dances were held, militias were trained, and circuit court sessions were convened.

Ale was served in a niche via a sliding window beside the stairway, under which barrels and glasses were located. Guests warmed themselves during cold New England winters in front of any of the seven fireplaces.

Other original details include wide-plank pine floors, paneling, wainscoting, mantel pieces, cabinetry, exposed brick, and trim.

By the way, there’s an adjacent 100-acre wooded parcel that’s available for purchase if a buyer wants to spread out.

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28 Hanover St, Pemberton, NJ

Price: $280,000
Historically unassuming: You might not notice it when passing by the town’s main street, but this four-bedroom Colonial frame home in New Jersey is a standout. It even has a few vestiges of its lengthy history, like fireplaces and chimneys built at both ends of the house.

Much of the 2,328-square-foot interior has been updated over the past several years, including the plumbing, bathrooms, and windows. We’re guessing a barn once stood on the sizable lot where there is now a large detached garage. This home isn’t the only historic building in the area, but it’s one of the least expensive.

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57 Oliver St, New Castle, NH

Price: $3,995,000
Cushy Colonial: Described as “thoughtfully reconstructed,” this four-bedroom Colonial has been so tastefully remodeled that it appears it could have been built five years ago.

Even so, there are still nods to its origins, in the brick fireplaces and the heavy wooden beams. Location is also key: It sits in a strategic location on the Piscataqua River, near where the river feeds into the Atlantic. And just as when it was first built, there are water views from almost every room.

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7500 Ironwood Ln, Warrenton, VA

Price: $29,950,000
National treasure: Known as “North Wales,” this 1,471-acre Virginia estate is fit for royalty with its 23 bedrooms and 13.5 bathrooms in 25,939 square feet of living space.

The property is anchored by a stately Georgian manor house. It also comes with a two-story Georgian Revival-style stone carriage house, a farm, equestrian facilities, a guesthouse, a few additional residences, a large pond, and a shooting preserve.

It’s listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. Many original features have been preserved and sit side-by-side with current design elements. Newer luxuries, like a pool and a tennis court, have been added over the years.

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1297 Hope-Bridge, Hope, NJ

Price: $225,000
Stone-cold historical: The walls of this Moravian stone structure appear to have stood the test of time, but the interior may need a little work. There doesn’t seem to be a bathroom or kitchen on the premises, and the listing mentions only two bedrooms.

It’s among the original homes nestled in quaint and historic Hope Township, one of the earliest planned communities in the United States. It was established by German Moravians in 1769, who intended to build a village with streets, homes, wells, businesses, farms, a school, a tavern, and a church.

This structure sits right next to the local bank and will require a complete restoration. However, a buyer wouldn’t necessarily have to live here—the area is zoned for commercial use. We can imagine a Colonial-themed restaurant, ice cream parlor, or just about anything else a small community could desire.

The post Buy a Bit of History: We Salute These 5 Homes Built in 1776 appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.