In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. The survey was funded half by the Sippican Historical Society and half by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Due to the limits of funding, not all of the historic buildings were surveyed, but over 100 were cataloged and photographed. The results of the survey are in digital form on the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s website and in four binders in the Sippican Historical Society’s office (and at the Marion Town Clerk’s office).
Marion (Old Rochester) is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and the Sippican Historical Society maintains an extensive collection of documentation on its historic buildings. The Sippican Historical Society will feature one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture.
This installment features 391 County Road. The home at 391 County Road is said to have been a wheelwright’s shop. Around 1830, it was enlarged into a Greek Revival cottage to become the residence of Oren Vose, a farmer. Oren Vose was probably related to a leading family doctor in Wharf Village in the late 19th century, Dr. Albert C. Vose of 45 Main Street. Oren Vose lived in the house on County Road until at least the mid-1850s. Benjamin F. Vose operated a garden market and poultry farm on this property from the 1870s until his death on May 7, 1926.
