Browne House

The Browne House is a residential building in Watertown built in the late 1600s with a steeply pitched roof and original casement windows that open outward. The structure displays typical colonial construction with thick walls and wooden framework from that era.

The building was constructed between 1694 and 1701 for Abraham Browne, a land surveyor who shaped Watertown's growth in its early years. It remains one of the oldest residential structures still standing in the community.

The house shows how families organized their daily lives during colonial times, with spaces designed for both work and rest. Visitors can observe how cooking, sleeping, and gathering happened in the same rooms.

Guided tours of the house are available through Historic New England, allowing visitors to walk through the original rooms and see the period details up close. It is advisable to check ahead about visiting hours and tour schedules since access is limited to specific times.

The upstairs fireplace features one of the few surviving mantels from the early 1700s with original craftsmanship rarely seen elsewhere. Its windows display colored glass panels arranged in diamond patterns, representing a distinctive design choice from that period.

Location: Watertown

GPS coordinates: 42.37190,-71.19980

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:25