The Hingham Anchor is excited to share a preview of the historic homes that will be featured on this year's 95th annual Hingham Historic House Tour. The Hingham Historc Society's annual House Tour is one of the oldest and longest-running house tours in the country. The first was held on August 24, 1924. According the the Society's website, "From modest capes to grand estates, the homes we showcase each year reveal the network of families, trade, marriage, work and worship that have over almost 400 years made Hingham an iconic England community."
Following, please find a preview of the this year's featured homes. You can find more details and purchase tickets here: https://hinghamhistorical.org/event/historic-house-tour/.
2019 Highlights:
Caleb Thaxter House, 1775
215 North Street
The Caleb Thaxter House, 215 North Street, officially dates to 1775, but parts of it are believed to be even older. A young John Quincy Adams is known to have attended dinner parties here.
The Reverend Henry Miles House, 1881
25 Lincoln Street
This house is screams curb appeal—one of those houses that you drive past and dream about. In its 138 years there have only been four owners.
Benjamin Lincoln House, 1665
181 North Street
If you missed this house on last years tour, do not miss it twice. Back by popular demand, the Benjamin Lincoln House is unlike any other. It is chocked full of Hingham history.
The Isaac Lane House, 1810
199 North Street
For almost 200 years this property was farmland and open pasture. Now it is an excellent example of thoughtful renovation. It will also make you want to sell your 1965 colonial and move into an antique yourself.
The Elisha Cushing House
692 Main Street House
The house at 692 Main Street is as close as you will come to seeing an original 1715 home. Lt. Elisha Cushing, a descendent of Matthew Cushing, one of the first settlers of Hingham, built the house in 1715. It remained in the Cushing family for 145 years. From the outside the house appears to lean to the left. The story told is that during New England’s great Hurricane of 1938 an elm tree hit the house.
Henry Cushing House, 1822
727 Main Street
Three generations of Cushings occupied this stately colonial-style home after it was built in 1822. The house is located in the Glad Tidings Plain section of Hingham, so named because news of a local hunter’s death during King Philip’s War was received by residents as good news because of his stated preference to be killed rather than taken captive by Natives.
Raymond House, 1925
7 Stoddard Street
7 Stoddard Street is an ordinary home with an extraordinary history. On January 6, 1942, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt came to visit at 7 Stoddard Street and enjoyed a luncheon there. Photos from that day were later published in the book This Is America, by Frances Cooke Macgregor. Like Eleanor, this tour stop will make you fall in love with Hingham all over again.
The Thomas House, 1935
8 Stoddard Road
Continue the tour by meeting the homeowner of 8 Stoddard, who was featured in a photograph in that very same book.
Don't miss the opportunity to tour these historic homes for yourself - we'll see you there!
Terrific article!