The Plymouth Antiquarian Society’s headquarters, the 1809 Hedge House Museum, has seen a good deal of exterior work in July thanks to a matching grant from Preservation Massachusetts, in partnership with The 1772 Foundation. The grant, for which the Society applied in February and was awarded in May, offsets half the cost of the complete repainting of the north side of the main house and the entire carriage house. The project not only improves the aesthetics of this historic structure but, more importantly, ensures that the building envelope is secure and the underlying woodwork and architectural features are protected from the elements. The painting adheres to the 19th century color scheme of the house determined through careful analysis of extant paint layers several years ago.
Preservation Massachusetts and The 1772 Foundation are organizations that work together to preserve historic buildings in Massachusetts. Preservation Massachusetts is a non-profit organization that aims to preserve the state’s cultural and historic heritage. The 1772 Foundation is a national organization that works to ensure historic buildings and farmland are passed on to future generations. Since 2020, the two organizations have partnered on a matching grant program. This year the Hedge House was one of sixteen historic sites that were awarded matching funds.
The Hedge House is one of Plymouth’s finest examples of federal architecture. Built in 1809 by shipowner William Hammatt, the house was originally located on Court Street, where Memorial Hall is today. In 1830 merchant Thomas Hedge, one of Plymouth’s early industrialists and entrepreneurs purchased the house and enlarged it. When the house was threatened with demolition in 1919, it was rescued by the newly formed Plymouth Antiquarian Society and moved to its current location in 1924. It has been operated as a museum and the headquarters of the Society ever since.
