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 79 Lewis Street. The Italianate home at 79 Lewis Street was built c. mid-19th century. Particularly noteworthy are the eyebrow windows, which were rarely incorporated into design of New England residences after 1860. This house may have been moved to Lewis Street from another location, as it does not appear on either the 1855 or 1879 Marion maps. This cottage is shown on the 1903 Marion map. At that time, it was owned by Nathan B. Nye, who also owned 83 Lewis Street and whose occupation was listed as “hand laundry.” He owned these properties until 1920.
