Articles
There are all kinds of interesting stories about Sandwich’s history. You can browse the Sandwich Historical Commission articles below.
Historical Preservation Awards
The Sandwich Historical Commission held an awards ceremony in 2019 to honor the preservation of a number of historic homes and buildings. Member William Daley hosted the event at Oak Crest Cove. Award Recipients Janet Chakarian (44 Water Street) Delphi Construction (Sand Hill Community Center 16 [...]
Walking Tours
STQRY Guide Explore the rich history of Sandwich, Massachusetts at your own pace through a series of engaging, self-guided walking tours available on the mobile app STQRY Guide (pronounced "story" -- formerly PocketSights). These mobile-friendly experiences invite visitors to discover historic homes, landmarks, and landscapes that tell the story [...]
The First Cape Cod Baseball Team
(From Dan Crowley's "Baseball on Cape Cod") The Cape Cod Baseball League is recognized as the country’s most prestigious amateur baseball league. The rosters of all ten teams are stocked with the top college players from programs across the nation, many of whom are top MLB prospects and [...]
Parson’s Walk
Did you know there is a town-owned pathway from the Library parking lot through the woods all the way to School Street? It is called "Parson's Walk" or "Parson's Way." The MACRIS Form on file with the Massachusetts Historical Commission states: "The Parson’s Walk is named for a pathway from [...]
Dodge Macknight
Dodge Macknight by John Peter Russell -- Macknight married the governess of Russell’s children, Louise Queyrel. This portrait (ca. 1888) was bequeathed by Macknight to his sister-in-law, Elise Queyrel. (public domain photo) Dodge Macknight (1860-1950) was regarded by many of his contemporaries as America's first modernist. His [...]
The Boyden Block
Photo taken circa 1905. From left to right: Unitarian church, Boyden Block and Central House (now gone), Nancy Fessenden House, Apothecary Shop, Thayer House The same view today. A Bit About W. E. Boyden William Ellis Boyden was born in 1807. He ran [...]
Researching Your House History
There are hundreds of historic houses in Sandwich, and documenting these homes is the first step toward preserving them. Saving historic homes is vital for maintaining our town's cultural identify, fostering community pride, and providing a tangible link to the past that textbooks cannot provide. These structures also offer significant [...]
“Bird’s Eye View” The 1884 Poole Map
The 1884 Poole map of Sandwich is a highly detailed, pictorial lithograph drawn by A.F. Poole of Brockton, Massachusetts. The map includes street names, and significant buildings and landmarks are identified with numbers. The complete map and map key can be seen here. Pictured below is a close-up of a [...]
Town Hall Through the Years
Compiled by Don Bayley Sandwich Town Hall, built in 1834, is prominently displayed in this 1839 engraving by John Warner Barber: From Sandwich historian Russell Lovell: This is the only view found showing the early Calvinistic chapel on the site of the present First Church of Christ (the 'Elvis' Church). [...]
Aunt Sally and the Locust Grove Asylum
Skunks and raccoons on the kitchen table? The house at 238 Route 6A, The Old King's Highway, is falling down. It's open to the weather and the rain just pours in. In a year or so, it may be gone. Sad, because so much took place here -- so much [...]
