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Historic Structures
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Dan
Raymond House
Built about 1775 of home made brick
by the "notorious" and "cunning" character,
Dan Raymond, this home decried as "extravagant" in its
time, would now be considered an unpretentious brick colonial. Except
for an added ell, the house is nearly the same as during the Revolution
when it was one of Sheffield's finest homes. The house is furnished
with artifacts representative of Dan Raymond's time. The Museum
shop is located in the Dan Raymond House.
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Parker Hall
Law Office
This two-room office, built about 1820, served three lawyers
throughout the 19th century. In the mid 1970's, this building was
rescued by the Historical Society and moved to its present location.
The Parker Hall Law Office was listed in 1935 on the Historic American
Buildings Survey.
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Carriage House
This two-story c.1870 clapboard structure now serves as the
site of a tool exhibit that showcases a variety of ingenious devices
used in rural farms and in households of generations past.
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Education
Center
Fulfilling many purposes over the decades, this structure dating
to 1876 owes its unusual shape to its function as a Victorian vegetable
growing house that provided fresh greens in all seasons. It is now
used as an education center for classes and workshops.
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Mark Dewey
Hatters Shop
Originally constructed about 1816 to serve as a hat and cap
manufactory for Mark Dewey and his three young apprentices, the
structure was rescued by the Society in the 1980s and now
serves as the Mark Dewey Research Center. While conducting his hat
and cap business, Dewey lived next door in the Dan Raymond House.
He sold the house and shop in 1828.
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Smokehouse
Constructed about 1838 by Edward Fellows Ensign, the smokehouse
was donated to the Society, moved in 2000 to its present location
and restored. It is a rare example of a double chamber smokehouse
and possibly was used to supply the needs not only of the Ensign
family but also the inventory needs of the Old Stone Store, a country
general store, which was owned by the same family. It is in working
condition.
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Old
Stone Store
The Old Stone Store is the oldest existing mercantile establishment
in Sheffield and was build circa 1834 by Major Eli Ensign with distinctive
stone from a local quarry. Sitting as it does beside the 18th century
meetinghouse and immediately in front of the 19th century town hall,
it occupies an important location in the community, not only historically
but also geographically. Rescued by the Society in 1999, it is presently
undergoing extensive renovation and will open as a museum, exhibit
space and information center in 2002.
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The collection of
the Society is housed in these Historic Structures. It includes period
furniture, accessories, textiles, ceramics, tools, toys, ephemera and
an extensive collection of primary and secondary research sources. The
buildings are open for guided tours, Thursday through Saturday, 11 am
to 4 pm, Memorial Day Weekend through October 31, and by appointment during
the rest of the year. Tours are also available for organizations, school
programs, special events and workshops. Call (413) 229-2694.
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