In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. The survey was funded one-half by the Sippican Historical Society and one-half by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Due to the limits of funding, not all of the historic buildings were surveyed, but over 100 were catalogued 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 preview one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture.
This installment features 9 Cottage Street. Set out during the 1880s, Cottage Street runs eastward from Spring Street to Front Street. The building at 9 Cottage Street is an example of the Queen Anne style of architecture. The house was built in the 1890s for Dr. A.W. Rice, who had his office on the first floor, and lived with his family on the second and third floors. This charming house has all of its interior woodwork preserved. During the 1870s, the lot on which this home was built was part of a large parcel owned by Marion grocer A.J. Hadley. This home was later owned by Viggo Peterson, who sold Peterson’s Ice Cream from the rear of this house.
