General Godfrey was a lieutenant in the 7th US Calvary and served with General Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn. He served in Cuba during the Spanish American War and retired from the Army with the rank of Brigadier General in 1907. The original section of the house is believed to date to the mid-18th century; however, the site’s period of significance is 1907-1932. General Godfrey married Ida Emley in 1892 and moved into the Emley family house in 1907; six generations of Emleys lived in the house until 1932. No significant alterations have been made to the interior or exterior since General Godfrey’s passing in 1932.

The 2023 Trust grant will help fund the exterior preservation and restoration of the General Edward S. Godfrey House & Shoemaker’s Shop.

The 2019 Trust grant helped fund a Condition Assessment, Archaeological Management Plan, and Historic Preservation Plan addressing accessibility, maintenance, and a future use study.  

For more information, visit: https://www.newhanovertwp.com/about-us