Higgins, Jedediah, House
26 Higgins Hollow Rd., North Truro, MAThe significance of the Jedediah Higgins House lies with it being representative of the 19th-century version of a Cape Cod house architectural style which originated in basic form in the late 17th century and is still a prominent architectural style on Cape Cod today.
The primary features which make this house an important example of this architectural type are its central facade, floor plan, and interior finishes. The basically intact and unaltered central facade typifies a Cape Cod double-house with its south orientation and its symmetrical placement of two windows on either side of a central front doorway. Similarly, the floor plan with its arrangement of a central entrance flanked by two south rooms and a north room around a central chimney, and bedrooms upstairs is typical for a Cape Cod house and is basically intact. Likewise, the interior of the house with its wood paneling, wainscoting, and wide floorboards
is basically unaltered from its 19th-century origins and typifies the architectural style of interior finishes during that era.
The 20th-century modifications to the house (all addition and a dormer) are easily identifiable and respect the original structure. Furthermore, they are consistent with traditional evolutionary modifications to Cape Cod houses.
The purposes of Cape Cod National Seashore include the preservation of notable examples of Cape Cod style houses and the preservation of the historic scene within the seashore. A recent survey (Pfeiffer 1981) of 110 structures that the Park Service owns or will acquire within the seashore area identified five 19th-century Cape Cod-style houses.
The Higgins House was constructed in the 19th century as a Cape Cod style double house. It is one of the least altered examples of the 19th century Cape Cod style double house among those that the Park Service owns.
The Higgins House, furthermore, is an important reminder of the human settlement and agricultural activities that once dominated the Truro countryside. Although almost all the former fields now are reforested, the remaining rural farmhouses, such as the Higgins House, are crucial remnants of the 18th and 19th-century historic scene of the outer Cape, telling evidence that the area is substantially a cultural landscape.
Local significance of the structure:
The primary features which make this house an important example of this architectural type are its central facade, floor plan, and interior finishes. The basically intact and unaltered central facade typifies a Cape Cod double-house with its south orientation and its symmetrical placement of two windows on either side of a central front doorway. Similarly, the floor plan with its arrangement of a central entrance flanked by two south rooms and a north room around a central chimney, and bedrooms upstairs is typical for a Cape Cod house and is basically intact. Likewise, the interior of the house with its wood paneling, wainscoting, and wide floorboards
is basically unaltered from its 19th-century origins and typifies the architectural style of interior finishes during that era.
The 20th-century modifications to the house (all addition and a dormer) are easily identifiable and respect the original structure. Furthermore, they are consistent with traditional evolutionary modifications to Cape Cod houses.
The purposes of Cape Cod National Seashore include the preservation of notable examples of Cape Cod style houses and the preservation of the historic scene within the seashore. A recent survey (Pfeiffer 1981) of 110 structures that the Park Service owns or will acquire within the seashore area identified five 19th-century Cape Cod-style houses.
The Higgins House was constructed in the 19th century as a Cape Cod style double house. It is one of the least altered examples of the 19th century Cape Cod style double house among those that the Park Service owns.
The Higgins House, furthermore, is an important reminder of the human settlement and agricultural activities that once dominated the Truro countryside. Although almost all the former fields now are reforested, the remaining rural farmhouses, such as the Higgins House, are crucial remnants of the 18th and 19th-century historic scene of the outer Cape, telling evidence that the area is substantially a cultural landscape.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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The Massachusetts State House, located in Boston, was built in 1798 and is topped by a gilded dome that is made of wood and covered in 23.5 karat gold leaf.
About Barnstable County
Barnstable County Timeline
Barnstable County, located in southeastern Massachusetts, has a rich and diverse history that spans several centuries. The area was originally inhabited by the Wampanoag Tribe, who had a strong presence in the region for thousands of years before the arrival of European colonizers.
In the early 17th century, settlers from England, including the Pilgrims, established the Plymouth Colony, which encompassed a portion of what is now Barnstable County. This marked the beginning of European settlement in the area. Over time, more colonists arrived and settled in Barnstable, with the town being officially incorporated in 1639.
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, agriculture, fishing, and whaling became important industries in Barnstable County. The region's fertile soil supported the growth of crops such as corn, wheat, and barley, while its proximity to the ocean allowed residents to engage in fishing and whaling activities. Shipbuilding also thrived during this period, contributing to the local economy and sustaining the maritime tradition.
In the 20th century, tourism became a significant industry in Barnstable County. Cape Cod and its picturesque beaches, quaint towns, and charming lighthouses attracted visitors from all over the country. As a result, the county experienced significant growth and development, with the population increasing and the economy diversifying to accommodate the tourism industry.
Today, Barnstable County remains a popular tourist destination, offering a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities. It continues to honor its past through the preservation of historic landmarks and the celebration of its cultural heritage, while also embracing innovation and progress in various fields, including technology, healthcare, and education.
In the early 17th century, settlers from England, including the Pilgrims, established the Plymouth Colony, which encompassed a portion of what is now Barnstable County. This marked the beginning of European settlement in the area. Over time, more colonists arrived and settled in Barnstable, with the town being officially incorporated in 1639.
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, agriculture, fishing, and whaling became important industries in Barnstable County. The region's fertile soil supported the growth of crops such as corn, wheat, and barley, while its proximity to the ocean allowed residents to engage in fishing and whaling activities. Shipbuilding also thrived during this period, contributing to the local economy and sustaining the maritime tradition.
In the 20th century, tourism became a significant industry in Barnstable County. Cape Cod and its picturesque beaches, quaint towns, and charming lighthouses attracted visitors from all over the country. As a result, the county experienced significant growth and development, with the population increasing and the economy diversifying to accommodate the tourism industry.
Today, Barnstable County remains a popular tourist destination, offering a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities. It continues to honor its past through the preservation of historic landmarks and the celebration of its cultural heritage, while also embracing innovation and progress in various fields, including technology, healthcare, and education.
Barnstable County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Barnstable County, Massachusetts.
- 1685 - Barnstable County is established by the Plymouth Colony.
- 1700s - The county experiences rapid growth due to its favorable location for trade and fishing.
- 1774 - Barnstable County actively participates in the Revolutionary War against British rule.
- 1801 - The Cape Cod Canal is opened, connecting Cape Cod to the mainland and boosting trade and transportation in the region.
- 1830s - The whaling industry becomes a major economic driver in Barnstable County.
- 1860s - Barnstable County contributes significantly to the Union cause during the American Civil War.
- 1900s - The tourism industry begins to flourish in Barnstable County, attracting visitors to its scenic coastlines and historic towns.
- 1914-1918 - Barnstable County sends many soldiers to fight in World War I.
- 1950s-1960s - Cape Cod experiences population growth and development, leading to increased suburbanization.
- 2000s - Barnstable County adapts to the challenges of climate change and works to preserve its natural resources.