Paul Cuffe Farm, National Historic Landmark farmhouse in Westport, Massachusetts
Paul Cuffe Farm is a wooden farmhouse set on a granite foundation with two interior brick chimneys rising from the gabled roof overlooking the East Branch Westport River. The property spans along Drift Road and contains remnants of former wooden-pile wharves and submerged granite blocks from its maritime past.
Built around 1780, the property remained under continuous ownership of the Tripp family from 1748 to 1884, contrary to earlier attributions. The National Historic Landmark designation came in 1974 based on an incorrect association with Paul Cuffe, a prominent African-American merchant.
The farmstead displays typical residential patterns from late 18th-century New England, with handcrafted details and materials that reflect how people lived in rural areas. Visitors can observe how the buildings were designed to serve agricultural life.
The property sits along Drift Road where visitors can explore the grounds on foot in a rural setting with open spaces and water features. The location requires walking the grounds to fully experience both the building and the remnants scattered across the site.
The farm became known as Paul Cuffe Farm despite being continuously owned by the Tripp family, revealing an error in historical attribution. This naming discrepancy highlights how documentation mistakes led to a misidentified landmark.
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