Well-known for being a premiere British fighting vessel, the HMS Victory was a 227 foot long ship that could carry 850 men and 104 guns at full capacity. This impressive ship was able to move through the water at 15 to 17 kilometers per hour and weighed as much as 7 tons.

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Where skindiving met storytelling—and the ocean came to life on canvas.

In the world of marine wildlife art, few names shimmer with the brilliance of Stanley Meltzoff. Known equally for his brushstrokes and his buoyancy, Meltzoff pioneered an artistic genre that combined the precision of science, the thrill of skindiving, and the dramatic flair of classi…

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History enthusiasts, architecture aficionados, and lovers of early American life can now embark on an incredible journey through the heart of 17th century Colonial Massachusetts with the newly published eBook…

Link To Book: HERE!

Authored by Phil & Beth Wilson and available exclusively through Kindle Direct Publishing, the ebook offers a deep dive into the architectural and cultural heritage of the Bay Colony's earliest settlers.

This reference guide is ideal for teacher study guides and the content is suitable for ages 8 and up. Teachers of early American Architecture and Historic Culture will also find this ebook as a strong asset for their classes.

Why This eBook is a Unique

Delve into the essence of early American craftsmanship and homestead wisdom through vivid descriptions, meticulously researched historical insights, and stunning photography. The ebook is unique as it has one of the best, if not the best, check-lists that you can use to find the top 17th century locations around the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Wilsons take readers on a captivating tour of the top iconic First Period homes, each serving as a living testament to the resilience, ingenuity, and traditions of the colonial era. Whether you are an aspiring historian, an architecture student, or simply someone intrigued by the roots of early American life, this eBook is an invaluable resource.

The book also includes an appendix featuring over 100 additional First Period sites, offering readers an extensive guide to further exploration across Massachusetts and beyond.

Sidebar: First Period Museum Houses vs. Massachusetts Lighthouse Touring

For years, families have made it their mission to visit every lighthouse in Massachusetts, braving rugged coastlines and unpredictable weather, all in the name of adventure. Now, a new trend is emerging – touring Massachusetts' First Period museum houses! With fewer seagulls and more fascinating stories of colonial life, this fresh alternative offers a perfect blend of history, architecture, and fun. Whether you're counting lighthouses or historic homes, there's never a dull moment in the Bay State!

What Readers Can Expect:

• Architectural Secrets: Learn the distinctive features of First Period homes, from timber-frame construction to central chimney layouts and decorative moldings.

• Frontier Living Insights: Discover how colonial families thrived in challenging conditions, managing food, shelter, and daily life with remarkable ingenuity.

• Simples & Worts Wellness Knowledge: Uncover the herbal remedies and wellness practices that were essential to colonial survival, shedding light on the rich botanical traditions of the time.

Available Now on Kindle Select!

Priced at just $9.99, Exploring Massachusetts' First Period Museum Houses is now available globally via Amazon’s Kindle Select program, ensuring maximum reach and accessibility to readers across the world. The eBook offers exceptional value, making it an affordable yet comprehensive educational tool for students, educators, and general audiences.

Purchase The eBook: HERE!

Perfect for:

• History students studying early American architecture

• Tourists planning visits to Massachusetts' historic sites

• Teachers incorporating Colonial studies into their curriculum

• Preservationists and heritage enthusiasts

How to Get Your Copy:

Simply visit Amazon Kindle and search for Exploring Massachusetts' First Period Museum Houses or follow the link provided on our website. Whether you prefer reading on a Kindle device or through the Kindle app on your smartphone or tablet, you can enjoy this engaging and informative guide at your convenience.

A Note From The Authors…

The "First Period" of American colonial history (1620-1720) was a time of incredible transformation. This period is when European settlers established their first communities in the New World. In the Massachusetts Bay Colony, these early settlements brought their own architectural traditions that populated the English landscape, where they had grown up. They also adopted new building technologies which were adapted to local conditions, resulting in homes that still stand today as museums and historic landmarks. Have you ever visited a First Period Museum House here in Massachusetts? That's where this guide come into play!

This First Period House Museum guide captures the frontier times and the cultural aspects of this period from an architectural perspective. This guide provides a check-list for documenting your house visits, which your family and you can plan during the warmer months of Spring, Summer and Fall.

This guide explores the architectural legacy of Massachusetts' First Period homes. The guide gives you the top go-to-list of the museum houses in the state. Use the guide as a way to check off those houses that you want to visit... as well as those that you have already seen.

Secondly, this guide touches upon some of the important aspects which go beyond the bricks and timbers. For instance, settlers relied heavily on their knowledge of herbs, or "simples" and "worts," for their health and wellness. With no formal medical institutions, the herbal remedies of the time were critical to survival, and their influence persists, today, in modern herbal practices. We have also included information of the lives of some of the noteworthy settlers who braved the New World, their struggles, triumphs, and the houses they built and lived in.

This guide identifies over a dozen of the most significant historical sites of Massachusetts which fall into the first period museum house category. Just like those people who want to visit Massachusett's lighthouses, this guide helps you with a convenient "starter list" of some of our state's standout first period homes, In addition, see the guide's appendix which provides a 2nd, more extensive, list of over one hundred others house museums to also consider visiting.

Have fun exploring these historic treasures!
Phil and Beth Wilson

About the Authors Phil & Beth Wilson are passionate historians and educators who have spent years researching and documenting early American homes. Their dedication to preserving the rich heritage of Massachusetts is evident throughout this book, offering readers a detailed and authentic look into the past.

Don't Miss Out on This Historic Adventure!

Embrace the chance to step back in time and explore the architectural and cultural treasures of Colonial Massachusetts. Order your copy today and embark on an unforgettable journey through history.

Copyright 2025 - All Rights Reserved.

Get the eBook on Amazon!

Until Next Time…

We are…

Beth and Phil Wilson…

And Here’s to…

Planning Your First Period House Journey In Massachusett!

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The Swiss tradition of hand-carved Springerle cookie molds and Swiss chocolate with similar names are distinct, though both reflect Switzerland's rich cultural heritage. Here's a comparison:

Springerle Cookie Molds

1. Purpose and Origin:

   • Springerle molds are intricately hand-carved wooden or ceramic molds used to creat…

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Hello Me-Maties!

I can’t resist telling you about our local history and lore.

In this instance, I will tell you about the coolest treasure ship to be identified and salvaged, in a very responsible way, here in my back yard!

The key guy is Barry Clifford and he has paved a path for getting you to visit our Whydah (pronounced…

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On this day, July 31st, we commemorate Black Tot Day, a significant date in British naval history. It marks the end of a long-standing tradition—the daily rum ration, or "tot," given to sailors in the Royal Navy. This tradition, which lasted for over 300 years, came to an end on July 31, 1970, a day now remembered as B…

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Note from Author

If you’d be willing to share any pictures that you may have of Nantucket Lightship Baskets with our “lost arts” community… I would be very grateful. This article is devoid of detailed images and I apologize, up front!

Please send your image contribution to RoadsteadFarms (at) gmail (dot) com and I will ad…

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In the heart of colonial New England, nestled amidst rolling hills and verdant landscapes, lay the quintessential small farmsteads that formed the backbone of the region's agrarian society. These humble homesteads were not just places of residence; they were microcosms of self-sufficiency, where the rhythm of life ebbed and flowed with the changing seas…

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In the heart of colonial New England, nestled amidst rolling hills and verdant landscapes, lay the quintessential small farmsteads that formed the backbone of the region's agrarian society. These humble homesteads were not just places of residence; they were microcosms of self-sufficiency, where the rhythm of life ebbed and flowed with the changing seas…

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Here’s a series of shots on the restoration of the north (left) end of our barn. We learned an important lesson. This is an insurance safety net of sorts. Here it is… whenever you make repairs, or additions, to a house or outbuilding, make sure that you spray your lumber (not composites) thoroughly with a solution of BoraCare to repel any wood-eating in…

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The Technical Aspects of the Solar Equinox

The solar equinox, also known as the equinox or equinoctial point, is a phenomenon that occurs twice a year when the plane of Earth's equator passes through the center of the Sun, resulting in nearly equal lengths of day and night across the globe. This astronomical event marks th…

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Rediscovering the Lost Art of Creating a 17th Century Medicinal and Wellness “Physic” Garden

In the bustling world of modern medicine and wellness, there's a quiet nostalgia for the wisdom of centuries past. The 17th century, in particular, was a time when gardens weren't just beautiful; they were pharmacies and sanctuaries for the body and soul. Join us…

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From the cobblestone streets of colonial villages to the rugged landscapes of frontier settlements, America's living history museums offer a captivating glimpse into the past. These immersive sites transport visitors back in time, allowing them to experience the daily lives, customs, and traditions of bygone eras. I…

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This series shows our installation of a snake rail fence which usually uses cedar, but we have to settle with oak, due to the cost of trucking cedar rails from Maine.

Here’s the delivery of our rails.

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This, American Plaintree, or Sycamore, is a regional curiosity due to the age of the tree (over 400 years). Yet, most do not know of the true story which is attached to it. This series of pictures, and the accompanying story will take you back to the year 1782. The pictures will also show you just how large the heritage tree has become. Let’s start with…

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The following diagrams were created by University of Pennsylvania’s Professor St. George. We thank him for his lost arts leadership!

Spring

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