Ritter House, Federal period house in Vineyard Haven, United States.
Description
Ritter House is a two-story residence with Federal period architecture built in 1796, showing construction methods typical of early Massachusetts settlements. The structure preserves original wood elements and craftsmanship details from that era.
History
The house originally served as both an inn and the first post office of Tisbury, operated by Dr. Rufus Spaulding who held multiple roles in the community. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
Culture
The house is connected to Evangeline Merrill Ritter, a textile artist who lived here during the 1920s and cared for the property. Visitors can observe how a prosperous household of that era functioned in this coastal community.
Practical
The property is maintained by the Martha's Vineyard Historical Preservation Society and sits near downtown Tisbury on Martha's Vineyard. Access is best on foot or by local transport, and the grounds are viewable from outside.
Did you know?
The building survived the major fire of 1883 that destroyed much of downtown Vineyard Haven, preserving its original Federal period architecture. This survival makes it a rare example of the community's pre-fire buildings.
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