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National Register of Historic Places listings in Plymouth County, Massachusetts facts for kids

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Map of Massachusetts highlighting Plymouth County
A map showing where Plymouth County is in Massachusetts.

Welcome to Plymouth County, Massachusetts! This area is super old and full of history, especially from the time of the Pilgrims. Many important buildings, places, and even a few old ships here are officially recognized as special historic sites. They are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places.

Think of the National Register as a special list of places that are important to the history of the United States. When a place is on this list, it means it's worth protecting and learning about. In Plymouth County, there are 139 of these amazing places! Five of them are even more special and are called National Historic Landmarks. These are like the superstars of historic sites!

Let's explore some of these cool places and learn about their stories.

Famous Historic Landmarks in Plymouth County

Some places are so important that they are called National Historic Landmarks. Let's look at a few of them!

John and Priscilla Alden Family Sites

John Alden House in Duxbury, Massachusetts
The historic John Alden House in Duxbury.

Imagine living in a house built by one of the first Pilgrims! The John and Priscilla Alden Family Sites in Duxbury include the home of John Alden and his wife, Priscilla Mullins Alden. They were famous Pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower. This house is one of the oldest standing homes in the United States that was built by a Mayflower Pilgrim. It helps us understand what life was like for early settlers.

Cole's Hill

Cole's Hill, Plymouth, MA
Cole's Hill in Plymouth, overlooking the harbor.

In Plymouth, right near Plymouth Rock, you'll find Cole's Hill. This hill is a very important spot because it was the first burial ground for the Pilgrims who died during their first harsh winter in 1620-1621. It's a quiet place to remember the challenges they faced. Today, it offers great views of Plymouth Harbor.

Old Ship Meetinghouse

OldShipChurchExterior
The Old Ship Meetinghouse, looking like an upside-down ship.

The Old Ship Meetinghouse in Hingham is truly unique. It's the oldest church building in the United United States that has been used continuously for worship! Built in 1681, its roof looks like the hull of an upside-down ship, which is how it got its name. It's a wonderful example of early American architecture and a reminder of how communities gathered long ago.

General Benjamin Lincoln House

General Benjamin Lincoln House, Hingham (Plymouth County, Massachusetts)
The home of General Benjamin Lincoln.

Also in Hingham is the General Benjamin Lincoln House. Benjamin Lincoln was a very important general during the American Revolutionary War. He played a big role in helping the United States win its independence. His home tells the story of a brave leader and the early days of America.

Daniel Webster Law Office

Daniel Webster Law Office, Marchfield (Plymouth County, Massachusetts)
Daniel Webster's Law Office in Marshfield.

In Marshfield, you can find the Daniel Webster Law Office and Library. Daniel Webster was a famous American statesman and orator in the 1800s. He was known for his powerful speeches and his work in government. This small office is where he worked and studied, giving us a peek into the life of a historical figure.

Other Interesting Historic Places

Besides the National Historic Landmarks, many other places in Plymouth County have fascinating stories.

Plymouth Rock

Plymouth Rock
Plymouth Rock, a symbol of the Pilgrims' arrival.

You can't talk about Plymouth without mentioning Plymouth Rock! Located on Water Street in Plymouth, this famous rock is where the Pilgrims are said to have first stepped ashore in 1620. It's a powerful symbol of American history and the start of the Plymouth Colony.

Pilgrim Hall Museum

Pilgrim Hall Museum
The Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth.

Near Plymouth Rock, the Pilgrim Hall Museum is a must-see. It's the oldest public museum in the United States that has been open continuously. It holds many artifacts and treasures from the Pilgrims and early Plymouth Colony. You can see things they used, like furniture, weapons, and even pieces of the Mayflower!

Historic Homes and Buildings

Many old houses and buildings in Plymouth County are on the National Register. They show us how people lived, worked, and worshipped centuries ago.

  • Frederic C. Adams Public Library in Kingston is a beautiful old library building.
  • The Bartlett–Russell–Hedge House in Plymouth is another historic home.
  • The Jabez Howland House in Plymouth is special because it's the only house still standing in Plymouth where a Mayflower passenger actually lived.
  • The Richard Sparrow House in Plymouth is one of the oldest houses in Plymouth, built in 1660.
  • The King Caesar House in Duxbury was built by a wealthy shipbuilder named Ezra Weston II, also known as "King Caesar."
  • The Isaac Winslow House in Marshfield is a grand old home from the 1700s.

Lighthouses and Harbors

The coast of Plymouth County is dotted with historic lighthouses that guided ships for many years.

  • Bird Island Light in Marion stands on a small island.
  • Duxbury Pier Light (also known as "Bug Light") is in Plymouth Bay.
  • Minot's Ledge Light off Scituate is famous for its strong structure that can withstand rough seas.
  • Ned Point Light in Mattapoisett is a charming lighthouse.
  • Plymouth Light Station at Gurnet Point in Plymouth has a unique twin-tower design.
  • Scituate Light in Scituate is well-known for the story of the "Lighthouse Gals" who saved the harbor from British attack during the War of 1812.

Old Schools and Town Halls

Many public buildings also have a place in history.

  • Brockton City Hall in Brockton is an impressive building.
  • The Central Fire Station in Brockton is an old fire station.
  • The William H. McElwain School in Bridgewater is a historic school building.
  • The Old County Courthouse in Plymouth was an important place for law and order.
  • The Town Hall in Lakeville is another historic civic building.
  • The Tarkiln School in Duxbury is an old schoolhouse.

Historic Districts

Some areas have many historic buildings close together, forming a "historic district."

  • The Boston Harbor Islands Archeological District includes islands with very old human history.
  • The Kingston Center Historic District shows off the historic heart of Kingston.
  • The Norwell Village Area Historic District highlights the historic center of Norwell.
  • The Plymouth Village Historic District covers a large part of historic downtown Plymouth.
  • The Tremont Nail Factory District in Wareham was once a busy factory area.

Other Notable Sites

  • Myles Standish Burial Ground in Duxbury is the resting place of Captain Myles Standish, a military leader of the Plymouth Colony.
  • Old Burial Hill in Plymouth is another very old cemetery with graves dating back to the 1600s.
  • The Wampanoag Royal Cemetery in Lakeville is an important burial site for the Wampanoag people, the Native Americans who lived in this area for thousands of years.
  • The Wampanucket Site in Middleborough is an ancient site that shows evidence of people living there thousands of years ago, even before the Pilgrims arrived.
  • The Paragon Park Carousel in Hull is a fun, historic carousel from an old amusement park. It's one of the few things left from the park.

This list only scratches the surface of the amazing history you can find in Plymouth County! Each of these places has a unique story that helps us understand the past.

Images for kids

  • KingstonMA AdamsLibraryBuilding

    Frederic C. Adams Public Library

  • Bartlett-Russell-Hedge House, Plymouth, MA

    Bartlett–Russell–Hedge House

  • Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Plymouth MA

    Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

  • Bird Island Light (Plymouth County, Massachusetts)

    Bird Island Light

  • World's End, Hingham, MA - IMG 6206

    Boston Harbor Islands Archeological District

  • Bradford House, Kingston MA

    Bradford House (Kingston)

  • 251 Harrison Street, Duxbury MA

    Captain Daniel Bradford House

  • DuxburyMA GamalielBradfordHouse

    Capt. Gamaliel Bradford House

  • Gershom Bradford House

    Capt. Gershom Bradford House

  • Bradford Street, Plymouth MA

    Bradford–Union Street Historic District

  • Bridgewater Iron Works site

    Bridgewater Iron Works

  • BrocktonCityHall

    Brockton City Hall

  • Brockton Edison

    Brockton Edison Electric Illuminating Company Power Station

  • NorwellMA BryantCushingHouse

    Bryant–Cushing House

  • Needles Lodge, Camp Kiwanee, Hanson MA

    Camp Kiwanee Historic District

  • Central Fire Station, Brockton MA

    Central Fire Station (Brockton)

  • BrocktonMA CentreMontelloHD1

    Centre and Montello Streets Historic District

  • HinghamMA ThomasChubbuckJrHouse

    Thomas Chubbuck Jr. House

  • PlymouthMA CliffordWarrenHouse

    Clifford–Warren House

  • WhitmanMA CommonwealthShoeAndLeatherCompany

    Commonwealth Shoe and Leather Co.

  • WarehamMA ConantHill HorseshoePondFromDam

    Conant's Hill Site

  • BrocktonMA CurtisBlock

    Curtis Building

  • 210 East Street, Hingham MA

    Cushing Homestead

  • Dr. Edgar Everett Dean House, Brockton MA

    Dr. Edgar Everett Dean House

  • School House 4, Hanson MA

    District 7 School House

  • Duxbury Pier light house in Plymouth harbor

    Duxbury Pier Light

  • East Bridgewater Common

    East Bridgewater Common Historic District

  • East Rochester Congregational Church

    East Rochester Church and Cemetery Historic District

  • D.W. Field Park, Brockton MA

    D.W. Field Park

  • First Baptist Church, North Scituate MA

    First Baptist Church of Scituate

  • First Church in Duxbury, Massachusetts

    First Parish Church (Duxbury)

  • Town Square Plymouth

    First Parish Church of Plymouth

  • First Trinitarian Congregational Church

    First Trinitarian Congregational Church

  • BrocktonMA ForestAvenueSchool

    Forest Avenue School

  • Franklin Block, Brockton MA

    Franklin Block (Brockton)

  • Goldthwaite Block, Brockton MA

    Goldthwaite Block

  • Grand Army of the Republic Hall, Rockland MA

    Grand Army of the Republic Hall (Rockland)

  • Hanover Center Cemetery, MA

    Hanover Center Historic District

  • William Harlow House in Plymouth MA

    Harlow Old Fort House

  • Sgt. William Harlow Family Homestead, Plymouth MA

    Sgt. William Harlow Family Homestead

  • Hatch House in Marshfield MA

    Hatch Homestead and Mill Historic District

  • PlymouthMA Hillside

    Hillside (Plymouth)

  • Howard Block, Brockton MA

    Howard Block

  • JabezHowlandHouse

    Jabez Howland House

  • Mary Jeanette Murray Bath House, Nantasket Avenue, Nantasket MA

    Hull Shore Drive, Nantasket Avenue

  • Entrance to Island Grove Park, Abington MA

    Island Grove Park National Register District

  • Capt. Benjamin James House

    Capt. Benjamin James House

  • Gardner J. Kingman House, Brockton MA

    Gardner J. Kingman House

  • First Congregational Parish, April 2010, Kingston MA

    Kingston Center Historic District

  • Scituate Lawson Tower

    Lawson Tower

  • HinghamMainStreet

    Lincoln Historic District (Hingham)

  • Union Street, Rockland MA

    Lower Union Street Historic District

  • Lyman Block, Brockton MA

    Lyman Block

  • MarshfieldMA MarshfieldHills NorthCommunityChurch

    Marshfield Hills Historic District

  • BridgewaterMA McElwainSchool

    William H. McElwain School

  • ScituateMA MenOfKentCemetery EdwardJenkinsMemorial

    Men of Kent Cemetery

  • Middleboro MA Town Hall

    Middleborough Center Historic District

  • Middleborough Waterworks Pumping Station. East Grove Street, Middleborough MA

    Middleborough Waterworks

  • Minot light

    Minot's Ledge Light

  • MiddleboroughMA OliverMillPark 1

    Muttock Historic and Archeological District

  • Miles standish grave in Duxbury Massachusetts

    Myles Standish Burial Ground

  • Monument to the Forefathers 1

    National Monument to the Forefathers

  • Ned Point Lighthouse

    Ned Point Light

  • North Abington Depot

    North Abington Depot

  • North Rochester Congregational Church 2

    North Rochester Congregational Church

  • First Parish Norwell, MA

    Norwell Village Area Historic District

  • Old County Courthouse in Plymouth MA

    Old County Courthouse

  • Old Post Office Building, Brockton MA

    Old Post Office Building (Brockton)

  • Nathaniel Winsor Jr House

    Old Shipbuilder's Historic District

  • Moses Packard House, Brockton MA

    Moses Packard House

  • Hull Paragon Park Carousel

    Paragon Park Carousel

  • PlymouthMA PartingWays

    Parting Ways Archeological District

  • PembrokeMA FriendsMeetinghouse

    Pembroke Friends Meetinghouse

  • Phoenix Building, Rockland MA

    Phoenix Building (Rockland)

  • MiddleboroughMA PoliceStation

    Peter Pierce Store

  • DuxburyMA PillsburySummerHouse

    Pillsbury Summer House

  • Pinewoods 2

    Pinewoods Camp

  • Hedge-Hammatt House, Plymouth, MA

    Plymouth Antiquarian House

  • Plymouth Light Single Tower MA

    Plymouth Light Station

  • Old Post Office Plymouth

    Plymouth Post Office Building

  • Plymouth Historic District

    Plymouth Village Historic District

  • Plympton Green, MA

    Plympton Village Historic District

  • Point Allerton Lifesaving Station (Plymouth County, Massachusetts)

    Point Allerton Lifesaving Station

  • RocklandMA FormerAlmshouse

    Rockland Almshouse

  • Historic Rockland High School, Rockland MA

    Rockland High School

  • Rockland Library

    Rockland Memorial Library

  • RocklandMA RocklandTrustBuilding

    Rockland Trust Company

  • Sachem Rock Farm, East Bridgewater MA

    Sachem Rock Farm

  • Scituate Lighthouse 1

    Scituate Light

  • Snow Fountain and Clock, Brockton MA

    Snow Fountain and Clock

  • Second Parish Church, Hingham MA

    South Hingham Historic District

  • South Middleboro Grange Hall, South Middleborough MA

    South Middleborough Historic District

  • BrocktonMA SouthStreet 3

    South Street Historic District (Brockton)

  • Richard Sparrow House in Plymouth MA

    Richard Sparrow House

  • DuxburyMA AlexanderStandishHouse

    Alexander Standish House

  • Stetson House, Hanover MA

    Stetson House

  • StetsonFordHouse front

    Stetson–Ford House

  • NorwellMA TackFactory

    The Tack Factory

  • The 1871 South Hall of the Tarkiln Historic Twin Schoolhouses at Sunset, Fall 2013

    Tarkiln School

  • Tower on Telegraph Hill, Hull MA

    Telegraph Hill (Hull)

  • Third Meetinghouse

    Third Meetinghouse

  • Thomas-Webster Estate, Marshfield MA

    Thomas–Webster Estate

  • Tom Thumb House, Middleborough, MA

    Tom Thumb House

  • WarehamMA TobeyHomestead

    Tobey Homestead

  • Town Brook Billington Sea Plymouth MA

    Town Brook Historic and Archeological District

  • Lakeville Old Town Hall

    Town Hall (Lakeville)

  • Tremont Nail Wareham

    Tremont Nail Factory District

  • Post Office, Middleborough MA

    US Post Office–Middleborough Main

  • WPA Field House

    WPA Field House and Pump Station

  • LakevilleMA WampanoagCemetery Grave1

    Wampanoag Royal Cemetery

  • Lakeville Assawomsett

    Wampanucket Site

  • Waterfall in the War Memorial Park

    War Memorial Park (West Bridgewater)

  • CPWashburnGrainMill

    C.P. Washburn Grain Mill

  • Whitman Park, MA

    Whitman Park

  • WarehamMA WitchCatboat 2

    WITCH (catboat)

  • ScituateMA OldOakenBucketHouse

    Woodworth House

  • Wright Memorial Library

    Wright Memorial Library

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National Register of Historic Places listings in Plymouth County, Massachusetts Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.