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 One Allen Street. Located at the northwest corner of Water and Allen Streets, the home at One Allen Street evolved from a small Queen Anne cottage that has been altered over the years. The dwelling was built in 1885 as the summer home for Rev. John Brooks, who was the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield. His brother, Rev. Phillips Brooks, was a frequent summer visitor. Rev. Phillips Brooks, the rector of Trinity Church in Boston, is well know for writing the Christmas hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” Their mother was related to the Phillips family, founders of the two famous Phillips Academies in Andover and Exeter.
