WESTFORD — The Westford Museum and Historical Society and First Parish Church United held their second Historic House Tour on Saturday.
The houses were all part of the Westford Center Historic District, along with several public buildings like the original Westford Academy at the Westford Museum, the Roudenbush Community Center and the First Parish Church United, Westford’s original meeting house.
The six historical houses, however, were not revealed until the day of the tour. Photos were not permitted within the homes.
Each house has a unique place in Westford’s history, with several homes now incorporating modern advancements such as updated kitchens, bathrooms and flooring with historical hallmarks. Inside the homes, attendees took a glance at original fireplaces, wallpaper, gardens and libraries.
Several properties, such as 2 Hildreth St., the former Fletcher Tavern and 39 Main St., the former residence of Edward Symmes in the 1850s and later Allen Cameron by 1875 were featured during the tour. Both properties are included on the National Register of Historic Places.
Other properties included 25 Boston Road, which hosted the town clerk’s office under Charlie Hildreth, who served until his retirement in 1966, 58 Hildreth St., which was built by Ephraim Hildreth who bought the land in 1687. The Charles Fletcher home at 68-70 Main St. and 60 Main St., which was built around 1905 for Nellie Fletcher were also among the homes included on the tour.
The Historical House Tour is a fundraiser for the Westford Historical Society and the First Parish Church United of Westford benefit the continuous work of both organizations.
WestfordCAT spoke with Museum Director Linda Greene on the significance of the event.
“It’s just wonderful to feature some of these old buildings and just have a reason to look inside,” Greene said, “You get the perspective of different homeowners and what they’ve done to preserve the past but also bring their house up into modern needs like they’re gorgeous kitchens and they’re fabulous bathrooms parlors you feel like you’re sitting down in the 17th or the 18th century.”
Green says she hopes the Museum and Historical Society can host a third historic house tour within the next two years, noting the time it takes to plan and coordinate the event.
Want to learn more about the development of Westford? Check out the production below.
