Motif Number 1 facts for kids
Motif Number 1 is a famous fishing shack located on Bradley Wharf in Rockport, Massachusetts. It's known as "the most often-painted building in America." This building is a copy of an older fishing shack. The original shack was built in 1840. It was destroyed in a big snowstorm called the Blizzard of 1978 in 1978. But don't worry, an exact copy was built in the same year!
Why is Motif Number 1 So Famous?
The original fishing shack was built in the 1840s. At that time, Rockport was becoming a popular place for both fishermen and artists. Artists loved to paint the shack because of its great location and how the light hit it. It also became a symbol of life by the sea in New England.
How It Got Its Name
A painter named Lester Hornby (who lived from 1882 to 1956) is thought to be the first person to call the shack "Motif Number 1." A "motif" is a main idea or subject. Since so many painters in Rockport loved to paint this shack, it became their favorite "motif." The name stuck, and everyone started calling it Motif Number 1.
The Town Protects Its Icon
In the 1930s, another painter named John Buckley used the shack as his art studio. In 1945, he sold the shack to the town of Rockport. The town bought it to honor the people from Rockport who had served in the military.
The town knows how special and important Motif Number 1 is. They work hard to keep it looking good. They even found a special red paint that looks old and weathered, even when it's new! They also make sure there are no power lines, traffic signs, or advertisements around the shack. This helps keep its classic, historic look.
