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. Due to 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 296 Front Street. Built in 1797, 296 Front Street is a late Georgian- and Federal-style house built for Ward Parker Delano, the leading merchant in Old Landing during the first half of the 19th century. His store was located directly across the street on the site of what is now Burr’s Boat Yard. For many years, the Pythagorean Lodge was housed above his general store. During the late 19th century, his store was operated by Charles Henry Delano, who supplied the neighborhood with necessities and had the mail delivered there once a day from the lower village. In 1879, Ann Delano owned this house, while the W.P. Delano estate owned it by 1903.
What happened after 1903?…