Marc Sitkin, Dec 10, 2024
Sometimes there are interesting bits of history to be discovered right around the corner, that for some reason go under the radar. I was fortunate to discover such a gem recently when I received an invitation from the Chatham (MA)-Harwich Woodworkers Group. There was to be a tour of the Jericho Historical Center in the neighboring town of West Dennis. Not having heard of it, I was happy to have the chance to visit.
What a pleasant surprise! The site features a beautifully restored circa 1801 Cape Cod Style house that was the residence of Captain Theophilus Baker. The house is one and a half stories in height, and in more than 200 years, the footprint of the house has remained unchanged. Reflecting the status of it’s owner, it is richly detailed, with complex ornamental dentil and lintel moldings on the front facade, and very fine woodworking inside, including very nice wide pine floorboards. The house remained in the Baker family until 1955, when it was purchased by Elizabeth Reynard, and in 1962 gifted to the town of Dennis by her cousin, Virginia Gildersleeve.
The property, managed by the Jericho Historical Center Committee, has undergone a great deal of renovation since 2018, and is now in very good shape. As an aside, the property is known as the “Jericho House” because the walls were tumbling down.
Not to be outdone by the house, the property also has a barn that has been turned into a very interesting museum featuring 19th century artifacts, including a room dedicated to the cranberry industry, which was very important to Cape Cod, although is in serious decline now. The barn has displays of farm equipment, a horse racing wagon, general store, driftwood art display, a model saltworks, and is often used to educate grade school students on life in days gone past.
Further information can be found at the Dennis Historical Society’s website.
Download a pdf brochure on the Jericho House here:
Have something of interest near you you'd like to share? Contact John Verrill at (703)-967-9399 or use the contact form on the site to find out how.
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