10/15/2007 Annual Town Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Final Study Report Mashpee Historic District Page 6 of 15 r The Parsonage at 431 Main Street (MHC 10), built ca. 1849, is'located on the north side of the street. This modest, end-gable, one-and-one-half--story, three-by-three bay, Greek Revival-style building is sheathed in cedar shingles and set on a brick foundation. The main entry, located in the west bay of the facade (south elevation), is flanked by 3-light sidelights and fluted pilasters. A secondary entrance is located in the northern bay of the rear ell on the west elevation. A bulkhead is located on the west elevation of the main block. Fenestration consists of 6/6 double- hung sash windows with plain surrounds. An interior brick chimney is centered on the ridge of the main block while another is located on the ridge of a rear addition. The building is embellished with cornerboards, a wide cornice, and cornice returns. An end-gable, three-bay deep, one-story ell extends off the rear of the building. The building is situated on a slight rise above Main Street and has a dirt driveway on the west edge of the property. Landscaping consists of foundation plantings, grass; and trees. According to historian Amelia Bingham,' the Parsonage was initially owned by the district overseer. It was quickly acquired by Ebenezer and Benjamin Attaquin, and then sold to the Mashpee Baptist Parish.in 1852 for$550. It was then used by the Mashpee Baptist Minister and family as the Town Parsonage. Historic maps of 1880 and 1907 show the building and note its use as a parsonage. This building is no longer used to house the minister,but is rented out by the Tribal Council for use as a residence to community members. The Reverend Donald Redfield lived therein the early 20th century. Major work was done to the property in 1967, including the ;r digging of a cellar, installation of a heating ystem, and the removal of a front porch. It was 14, briefly used by the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribal Council for offices in the mid-1970s while their current facilities were being constructed on Great Neck Road South. Main Street(Lovell's Lane to Great Neck Road North) The Avant House Wampanoag Indian Museum at 414 Main Street(MHC 9 NRIND 12/3/98), built circa 1830, is a one-and-one- half-story, side-gable, 1/2- Cape building clad in wood shingles and set on a stone and brick foundation. The house is three bays wide by two bays deep. The facade has a simple, offset entrance. An interior brick chimney is set on the ridge of the main block. Fenestration consists of 12/12 double-hung sash windows. The building features simple detailing with plain window surrounds and cornerboards, a flat fascia, and a r frieze. A small one-story, gable-roof ell is attached to the east elevation. The house has two small sheds located to the rear of the property. The eastern building is sheathed in vertical wood with a gable roof and plank door. The west shed has a gable roof and is sheathed in vertical wood. A parking lot is located to the east of the building. At the entrance to the parking lot is a stone memorial and plaque. Inscribed in raised gold lettering the dedication begins, "MEMORIAL/LORENZO DOW JEFFERS/ SUPREME SACHEM/ OF/ WAMPANOAGS/ HEIR TO MASSASOIT..." Jeffers officiated at the ceremony dedicating the Wampanoag Museum in 1973. The plaque was dedicated on November 29, 1974. The property is set back approximately 40 feet from the road and is bound on the east by the Mashpee River and a Herring Run on Main Street, and on the south and west by dense vegetation. The Avant House is one of the earliest surviving residential structures in Mashpee, built when there were still numerous."wickiups" or wigwams recorded in the area. Before restoration,the