Along The Road To Ipswich Museum And Its Properties

Ipswich Museum, 54 South Main Street.

Three historic homes share one portion of South Main Street and South Green in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Cars roll past, not only the Ipswich Museum, also known as The Heard House, but two other roadside properties as well.

The Alexander Knight House and

The Whipple House.

Sandi Hackman, at work imparting information about the Alexander Knight House.

Tour guide,Sandi Hackman escorted several visitors recently to the Alexander Knight House and The Whipple House, unlocking the doors to each of the properties past and a description of residents who lived within them.

The Knocker on the door of The Whipple House.

Beginning with Alexander Knight's home, this small residence was two floors. What is seen on this location is now a replica of the original. Knight, originally from Chelmsford, England,was once known as a successful merchant..In later years, he was described as an "ornery" man according to historical documentation.. There had been a fire in the home in which he and his wife lost an infant child ( the number of children in the family is unknown). Documents also relate that Knight had been warned of potential fire hazards but failed to take proper precautions in preventing fire.. Following Knight's court appearance for carelessness, he was fined and it was arranged that he would board with Aaron Pengree. Pengree later told the town meeting members it was a situation, one which Knight, who was then working as an indentured servant, was not working out well.

As to the Colonel John Whipple House, the location of it was moved from Saltonstall Street to its current space at 1 South Green. Within the home are various displays on furniture and a room to be used for educational purposes in which students can learn the mechanics of the loom and weaving. Its gardens were also landscaped by Arthur Shurcliff and include herbs which were used for medicinal purposes as well as spices for cooking and other plants used for dying.

The oldest part of the house dates to 1677 when the military officer and entrepreneur Captain John Whipple constructed a townhouse near the center of Ipswich

His son, Major John Whipple, put an addition onto the house . The Whipple House is considered to be one of the earliest historic house museums in America, . Rev. Thomas Franklin Waters is credited with saving the house from impending destruction at one time. Wall sheathing and clamshell ceiling plaster remain. Seventeenth and 18th century furnishings and decorative arts by local and regional craftsmen fill the rooms.

This bedroom features a (linsey-woolsey coverlet)

Chest made by Thomas Dennis

The Heard House at 1 South Green, is the largest of all. Jude Spain and Stephanie Gaskins both shared information about the house and the works of art hung on its walls.

Ipswich Museum Interpreter Stephanie Gaskins standing by the fireplace in The Heard House.

Artifacts and paintings can be seen throughout The Heard House

Wandering through the rooms of the Heard House, one can also view a collection from The China Trade. Included in the artwork is The Dow Collection. Arthur Wesley Dow's works hang on the walls, Japanese technique was introduced in his paintings. Dow, one of the founding members of the Ipswich Historical Society painted various landscapes throughout the town. Although the largest collection is that of Dow's, other artists are also featured in the museum. . A small gift shop features books written and/or prints within their pages by the artists.

Each museum interpreter and volunteer guide is well versed on each of the three houses Along The Road to Historic Homes on Main Street and 1 south Green in Ipswich. Learn more about each house from (Stephanie Gaskins, Jude Spain, Sandi Hackman and Bob Purczycki). Look at artifacts from The China Trade and listen to the history of residents who once lived in each, mill workers who were housed in the area and artists, whose paintings have captured various landscapes and life as it was so many years ago.

Drop in sometime.

***These homes are open Memorial Day to Columbus Day, Thursday 10 AM to 4 PM Friday 10 AM to 4 PM Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM Sunday 1 PM to 4 PM***

***There are many other historic homes located on main roads in Ipswich within many of the cities and towns throughout new England. These homes will also be featured in the near future.***