May is Historic Preservation Month and at the Cape Ann Museum we are the fortunate stewards of four historic structures: The White-Ellery House (1710); The Babson-Alling House (c.1740); an early New England barn (c. 1740); and the Captain Elias Davis House (c. 1799-1804). Together these buildings provide visitors with unique and thought-provoking points of entry into the social and economic history of this region over the past 400 years. Three of these buildings form part of the Cape Ann Museum Green and are integral to our new contemporary art initiatives. 

As we move into the final stages of work on the Museum’s new Collections Center and Education/ Exhibition flex space at the Cape Ann Museum Green, we look forward to beginning stabilization and preservation work on the Babson-Alling House (c. 1740), a treasure hiding in plain sight.  Acquired by the Museum early last year, the House is a visual reminder of the Colonial-era settlement which once existed at Gloucester’s Town Green. With the support of private and public funders, the Museum looks forward to securing the envelope of the Babson-Alling House while preserving its historical integrity.    

The White-Ellery House has been owned by the Museum since 1947 and is one of just a handful of First Period structures in the region exhibiting much of its original interior detailing. Together with the rest of the Cape Ann Museum Green campus, the White-Ellery House today plays a vibrant role in engaging and connecting the community with contemporary art. Most recently the historic barn served as the backdrop for CAM Contemporary’s “In Gratitude” installation..    

The Capt. Elias Davis House, located in Gloucester’s downtown neighborhood, was constructed between 1799 and 1804 and has been the headquarters of the Cape Ann Museum since 1923. The House was built by “housewright” Jacob Smith who relied on architectural pattern books in his work and who is also credited with also building Gloucester’s Universalist Meeting House (c.1805).