Babson Museum - Rockport, MA
Posted by: 
silverquill
N 42° 38.325 W 070° 38.327
19T E 365644 N 4722001
This small building, a former cooperage, is one of the oldest buildings in Rockport, Massachusetts. It has displays of early American furniture and tools.
Waymark Code: WMN38P
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 12/17/2014
Views: 4
This small former cooperage is the only remaining building on the historic James Babson Farm on Cape Ann, Massachusetts. There is an unpaved parking area with a historic marker - a bronze plaque mounted on granite boulder - on the north side of Route 127 (Eastern Ave) between the towns of Rockland and Gloucester. The museum is open sporadically during the tourist season.
From the Babson Historical Association:
Babson Museum
The James Babson Cooperage Shop
A small one-story brick structure filled with early American tools and furniture. The cooperage shop is located midway between Gloucester and Rockport, built in 1658. It has been considered to be the oldest building and the first “factory” on Cape Ann. Originally known as the James Babson Farm, James and his wife Elinor Hill settled on these 32 acres above “the Mill”. At this stone shop James made barrels that were taken to Good Harbor Beach to be filled with fish and shipped to England, the West Indies, and other places around the world.
photo by silverquill
The plaque at the shop reads:
JAMES BABSON FARM
“GRANTED BY SPECIAL TOWN ACT DECEMBER 23, 1658
JAMES AND HIS MOTHER, ISABEL, WERE THE FIRST BABSONS TO REACH AMERICA, ARRIVING IN 1632. JAMES’ FATHER DIED ON SHIPBOARD WHILE CROSSING.
TOWN RECORDS SHOW THAT ISABEL WAS A VERY ACTIVE KINDLY AND BELOVED MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY. SHE DIED IN 1661. JAMES WAS A COOPER WHO MADE BARRELS, ETC. FROM LUMBER OBTAINED FROM THE ADJOINING MILL ON CAPE POND BROOK. HE MARRIED ELINOR HILL AND THEY HAD TEN CHILDREN. HE DIED IN 1683.”
Hours & Dates
Open July – August
Tuesday – Sunday 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
(978) 546-2958
Cost of Admission: Free.