In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. The survey was funded one-half by the Sippican Historical Society and one-half by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Because of the limits of funding, not all of the historic buildings were surveyed, but over 100 were catalogued and photographed. The results of the survey are in digital form on the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s website and in four binders in the Sippican Historical Society’s office (and at the Marion Town Clerk’s office). Marion (Old Rochester) is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and the Sippican Historical Society maintains an extensive collection of documentation on its historic buildings. The Sippican Historical Society will preview one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture. This installment features 2 Spring Street.
Spring Street started out as a country lane leading to a stone building associated with Captain Allen’s salt works. The Marion Town House at 2 Spring Street is an Italianate building erected in 1875-1876 as Tabor Academy’s recitation or classroom building. The school owes its existence to Elizabeth Taber, who purchased the rock-strewn land from Capt. Henry M. Allen in 1871. Tabor Academy opened on September 13, 1877 with 21 students.