Old Shipbuilder's Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Shipbuilder's Historic District
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Sweetser's General Store
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Both sides of Washington St. from Powder Point Ave. to N of South Duxbury, Duxbury, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 287 acres (116 ha) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Greek Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001899 |
| Added to NRHP | August 21, 1986 |
The Old Shipbuilder's Historic District is a special area in Duxbury, Massachusetts. It covers about 287 acres and is famous for its history. This district includes both sides of Washington Street, stretching from South Duxbury to Powder Point Avenue. It also includes some smaller streets nearby.
The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. This means it's a place worth protecting because of its past. In 1986, the district had 143 buildings that were important to its historic look.
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Why is This Place Important?
This historic district was chosen because it shows what Duxbury, Massachusetts, was like long ago. It was a very busy place for building ships and trading by sea. Many houses in the district are well-preserved. They show what homes looked like in the early 1800s.
Homes from the Past
Most of the buildings here are in the Federal style. These were built between 1800 and 1820. You can also see some homes in the Greek Revival and Victorian styles. These old houses help us imagine what life was like when Duxbury was a shipbuilding hub.
The Story of Washington Street
Washington Street is a big part of this historic district. It runs for two miles along the shore of Duxbury Bay. The street was first planned in 1798. It was a new idea from some rising shipbuilders.
A New Road for Shipbuilders
These shipbuilders, like Ezra Weston I, Ezra Weston II, Seth Sprague, and Joshua Winsor, became rich after the American Revolution. They built many fishing boats. They wanted a new road along the water. This road would make it easier to build ships and move goods.
Before 1798, the Duxbury shore only had rough paths. The shipbuilders needed a proper road for their shipyards, warehouses, and docks. This new road would help their businesses grow.
Building the Road
The idea for Washington Street caused a lot of arguments in Duxbury. People debated it for several years at town meetings. The shipbuilders even sued the town to get the road built! Finally, the project was finished in 1803. It included a wooden bridge over the Bluefish River.
Right after the road was built, sea captains, shipbuilders, and merchants started building nice homes on Washington Street. The shipyards and docks are gone now. But the houses remain. They help us understand what Duxbury was like in the early 1800s. This street, which once caused so much trouble, is now a treasured part of Duxbury's history.
Important Buildings
One of the notable buildings in the district is the Nathaniel Winsor, Jr. House. It was built in 1807.
