Reverend James Keith Parsonage, Colonial parsonage in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
The Reverend James Keith Parsonage is a Colonial-era residence in West Bridgewater featuring a traditional Saltbox design with original timber framing and corner posts. The main structure was expanded in 1678, and much of the original framework from that period remains intact within the walls.
The structure was built in 1664 as the home of Reverend James Keith, an ordained minister who had immigrated from Scotland. Keith became the first formally ordained clergyman to serve the growing community of West Bridgewater.
The building now serves as a local history museum run by the Old Bridgewater Historical Society, showcasing how colonial families lived and worked. Visitors gain insight into the domestic habits and daily routines of the period through the preserved rooms and period objects on display.
The house is open for guided tours where visitors can walk through the rooms and examine the carpentry details up close. Plan to spend time exploring at a comfortable pace so you can appreciate the period furnishings and ask questions about what you see.
Excavations in 2016 uncovered hidden structures beneath the house, including remains that may have been left by Native Americans. These archaeological discoveries suggest the land was inhabited long before the current building was constructed.
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