Childhood Home: Clara Barton Birthplace & Museum - North Oxford, MA

Clara Barton Birthplace & Museum 

North Oxford, MA

N 42° 09.180 W 071° 53.707

Short Description: 

Clara Barton Birthplace Museum is located at 66 Clara Barton Road off Route 12 in North Oxford, MA. Clara Barton was the founder of the American Red Cross.

Long Description:

Clara Barton Birthplace and Museum features exhibits "to learn about her life of boundless mercy and commitment." Hours - From May 31st to August 30th, the museum is open Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In September, the museum is open Saturdays only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours are also available by appointment. October to May, weekdays--by appointment only.

Clarissa Harlowe "Clara" Barton was born on Christmas Day in 1821 in this house North Oxford, MA. She lived their until she reached adulthood. During her life she held many positions that were unusual for a woman at that time. She was a teacher, patent clerk, nurse, and humanitarian.

Early in her career she worked as a school teacher is south central Massachusetts. In 1850, she attended the Clinton Liberal Institute in New York and then opened a free school in New Jersey. Next she work as a clerk in the US Patent Office in Washington D.C.

She was in Washington D.C. when the Civil War began. In 1862, after the First Battle of Bull Run, Clara Barton involved the public and gathered and distributed medical supplies for wounded soldiers. In 1864, she was appointed by Union General Benjamin Butler to take charge of the field hospitals on the front lines for the Union Army of the James. In this capacity, she became known as is known as the "Angel of the Battlefield." After the war she was in charge of the Office of Missing Soldiers.

After the war she traveled to Europe. During a trip to Geneva, Switzerland, Clara Barton was introduced to the Swiss organization the Red Cross, an organization founded Henry Dunant that provided relief on a neutral basis. Clara Barton worked to get recognition for International Committee of the Red Cross by the United States government. Soon thereafter, Clara Barton became the first President of the American Red Cross.