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 160 Front Street. The building at 160 Front Street was built with the timbers of a salt works that was destroyed in the 1815 hurricane. This Federal and Greek Revival building was owned by J. S. Gorham in 1855 and by the C.H. Damon estate by the early 1900s. In 1931, this house was open to tourists as a typical New England home. A Wareham Courier article dated July 17, 1931 explains that “the Rosamond Inn at Cottage and Front Streets, Marion, has thrown open its doors to tourist travel and to those who have read of New England hospitality. The homey features of the abode and the traditions handed down from the early settlers will enjoy this hostelry’s outstanding features such as delicious meals and large comfortable and unusually pleasant rooms.”
