Category: Uncategorized

Antiquarian Summer Fair, August 24

The Plymouth Antiquarian Society’s 74th old-fashioned Summer Fair will be held on Saturday, August 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the historic Hedge House, 126 Water Street, Plymouth. Shoppers can browse the fair tables for attic treasures and collectibles, second-hand books, gifts, crafts, and vintage and contemporary jewelry. Some of Plymouth’s finest home cooks contribute fresh-made goods to the Bake Table. It all takes place under a tent on the Hedge lawn, making this a rain-or-shine event.

The Antiquarian Fair also features a raffle with chances to win a 10-ft. kayak with paddle, a tour and beer tasting for 10 people courtesy of Mayflower Brewing Company, kid’s bicycles, specialty-themed gift baskets, and more. Raffle tickets are now available at $1 each or 6 for $5 at the Antiquarian Society main office at the Hedge House. Call 508-746-0012 or email info@plymouthantiquarian.org to arrange a time to stop by and purchase your raffle tickets. Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the event. The drawings will be held at 5 p.m. on August 24. Winners do not need to be present for the drawing but all prizes must be picked up in Plymouth.

The historic 1809 Hedge House will be open for tours during the event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 per adult, $5 per child, $5 for Plymouth resident adults, and $2 for Plymouth resident children. Members of the Plymouth Antiquarian Society are admitted for free.

All proceeds support the Plymouth Antiquarian Society’s mission to preserve and share local history. Founded in 1919, the Plymouth Antiquarian Society is Plymouth’s largest organization dedicated to preserving historic houses and landmarks. Serving as Plymouth’s historical society, the nonprofit organization interprets the community’s post-Pilgrim history in three historic museums dating from the late 17th to the early 19th century.

PAS Executive Director Wins Prestigious Dissertation Prize

PAS Executive Director Patrick Browne accepts the 2024 dissertation prize from Society of Civil War Historians President Dr. Lesley Gordon and Prize Committee Chairman Dr. Kevin Adams.

The Board of Trustees of the Plymouth Antiquarian Society are pleased to congratulate new Executive Director, Dr. Patrick Browne, on receiving the Anne C. Bailey Dissertation Prize of the Society of Civil War Historians. The SCWH recognized Patrick at their conference in Raleigh, North Carolina on June 20, 2024. 

The Anne C. Bailey Dissertation Prize is awarded biannually to the best dissertation that takes the U.S. Civil War era as its main focus. The prize committee praised Patrick’s dissertation, entitled, “Architects of Civil War Homecoming: Northern Relief Workers and Returning Union Veterans,” for its compelling argument and extensive research. 

According to Prize Committee Chairman, Dr. Kevin Adams of Kent State University, “Browne’s dissertation will become an essential study for specialists as we see it is likely to prompt a series of community studies throughout the North.” Patrick’s work focuses on northern civilians and their struggle to aid recently discharged Union soldiers during the thick of wartime crisis and in the years after the war.

Special Tuesday Tour Hours at the Hedge House

We are excited to announce new special hours for guided tours at the Hedge House Museum, 126 Water Street in Plymouth. The house will be open for tours on Tuesdays from June 25 to July 30, from 10 am to 1 pm. Tickets are $10 per adult, $5 per child (ages 5-12). For Plymouth residents, tickets are $5 per adult and $2 per child. Members of the Plymouth Antiquarian Society are admitted for free. All proceeds support the Society’s mission to preserve and share local history.

Built in 1809 by shipowner William Hammatt, the house is considered one of the finest examples of federal architecture in Plymouth. 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. Period rooms of the Hedge House, restored to their 19th century appearance, feature faithfully reproduced wallpaper and carpeting, China Trade treasures, American furnishings, paintings, and textiles.

In addition to these special Tuesday hours, the Hedge House, as well as the Society’s other museums, the Spooner House and the Harlow Old Fort House, are also open during special events and by appointment for private tours. Those interested in a private tour are encouraged to call 508-746-0012 or email info@plymouthantiquarian.org to check availability and book a tour in advance. The minimum fee for private tours is $30.

Harlow Preservation Work in Progress

1677 Harlow Old Fort House

Happy Preservation Month!

Preservation of our three historic houses is a year-round, often behind the scenes, effort but you can see a more visible project going on right now at the 1677 Old Harlow Fort House.

Work to replace the 1677 Harlow Old Fort House roof, and siding on the adjacent kitchen/bathroom building (ca. 1970), is underway. Reardon and Snow of Scituate is performing the work, and come highly recommended by our Preservation Committee for the work they have done with PAS in the past.

We are using approximately $19,000 from our “Harlow Tip Top Fund” to complete this much needed preservation. Additional repair priorities on windows, doors, and more identified in our 2024/2025 Systems Replacement Plan, will require approximately $34,000 more.

Will you consider donating to help replenish the Harlow Tip Top Fund? All gifts will help fund continued preservation of our historic and beloved 1677 Harlow Old Fort House. Your contribution provides vital support to our nonprofit organization, as we continue to care for our historic houses and collections, provide free educational programs, and create opportunities for community engagement.

Please click below to give online or send a check to P.O. Box 3773, Plymouth, MA 02361.

Thank you in advance for your continuing support!

Dr. Walter Powell, Interim Executive Director

2024 First Fridays Plymouth

The Plymouth Antiquarian Society is proud to participate in First Fridays Plymouth, an initiative highlighting arts and culture in the Plymouth Bay Cultural District. On the first Friday of every month (May through October) from 5 to 8 PM, our Spooner House Museum will be open for free mini tours.*

*Venue change – the Hedge House will be open for Friday, July 5th only. The Spooner House will not be open on July 5th.

Entry into this special opening will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the small size of the rooms, visitors may be asked to wait outside until space is available to enter. Thank you in advance for your patience!

A Spooner House Fundraiser: Spiritual Readings and Tarot Cards – Fridays May 3, June 7, Aug 2, Sept 6, Oct 4

We have partnered with three Spiritual Organizations – Go Beyond the Gates, Kindred Spirits and Silver Moon Tarot – to offer tarot card readings at the Spooner House Museum (27 North Street) on select Fridays in 2024. Proceeds will benefit the preservation of our historic Spooner House Museum. Join us, in the spirit of fun, to gain insight into the past, present or future and to support PAS.

Readings will be offered at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm and each hour is limited to 6 people. After you choose and purchase your hour, you will be notified of the exact time of your individual 10 minute reading. You are invited to a mini-tour of the Spooner House and to explore the backyard garden before or after your reading. Please be aware that this event requires climbing stairs. 

  • Friday, May 3 – 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm
  • Friday, June 7 – 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm
  • Friday, August 2 – 5 pm, 6 pm, 7pm
  • Friday, September 6 – 5 pm, 6 pm, 7pm
  • Friday, October 4 – 5pm, 6pm, 7pm

Tickets are $55 per person ($5 discount for PAS members with code). Space is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance. No refunds. To purchase tickets online, click here.

Please note that members may purchase an unlimited number of tickets. However, the member discount will only apply to 1 ticket if you have an individual membership; 4 tickets if you have a family membership; and 10 tickets if you have a life membership. Contact info@plymouthantiquarian.org for the membership discount code.

To learn more about joining the Plymouth Antiquarian Society, click here.

If you would prefer to purchase tickets via the phone, please call the office at 508-746-0012. If you have any questions please email info@plymouthantiquarian.org.

Thank you for your support!

PAS Welcomes Vernacular Architecture Forum

On Friday, May 19, the 1809 Hedge House and the 1749 Spooner House will be open to members of the Vernacular Architecture Forum, who will be in Plymouth for their annual conference. We are looking forward to welcoming them to our historic houses and learning from them as they examine architectural features and consider historic uses.

If you would like to volunteer during this special opening, please email info@plymouthantiquarian.org or call 508-746-0012.

About the Vernacular Architecture Forum (VAF)

The Vernacular Architecture Forum is the premier organization in North America studying ordinary buildings and landscapes. It was established in 1979 to promote appreciation and scholarship of vernacular structures. VAF is an interdisciplinary organization composed of scholars from many fields, including history, architectural history, geography, anthropology, sociology, landscape history, historic preservation, and material culture studies.

About the VAF Conference

VAF hosts an annual conference to share scholarship, hold board and committee meetings, and learn first-hand about the conference location through tours of its architectural and landscape heritage. 

An estimated 250 VAF members will attend this year’s conference in Plymouth. For more information on the event, visit https://www.vafweb.org/VAF-2023-Annual-Meeting.

Closures due to extreme heat

To ensure the safety of staff and guests, the Antiquarian Society’s historic house museums will close on days with high heat and humidity. Please see below for announcements of changes to our schedule. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please call 508-746-0012 with any questions.


Sunday, August 7: The Hedge House and the Spooner House will not be open.

Saturday, August 6: The Harlow House and the Hedge House will not be open.

Friday, August 5: The Spooner House and Hedge House are closing at 3pm due to extreme heat. The Hedge House will not be open for the First Friday Art Walk. The Mayflower Brewing Beer Garden will not be held at the Hedge House.

Friday, July 22, Saturday, July 23 & Sunday, July 24: All museums closed.