James Blake House, Colonial house in Dorchester, Massachusetts, US
The James Blake House is a colonial residence in Dorchester featuring a central chimney, gable roof, and timber-frame construction with three bays. The building displays structural elements typical of early New England homes from the 17th century.
Built in 1661 by English immigrant James Blake, the house remained in his family's hands for roughly 160 years before passing to the Williams family in 1825. This long ownership period shaped how the building was maintained and used across generations.
The building reflects construction methods brought by settlers from western England, showing how colonial families adapted their building traditions to this new land.
The property is located at 735 Columbia Road in Dorchester and is accessible through guided tours organized by the Dorchester Historical Society. Visit on a Sunday afternoon when tours are typically available to explore the interior and learn from knowledgeable guides.
Scientific testing through dendrochronology in 2007 confirmed the original construction date with precision, placing it among Boston's oldest standing structures. The site also contains archaeological evidence showing Native American presence long before the colonial settlement began.
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