Sippewissett
Campground
Sunday,
23 September 2018
 |
| today's route |
Adams
Family Homes
(I
can’t help but think of the Addams Family, which I never watched
but my brother and sister both liked a lot. Somehow I doubt if these
Adamses had that kind of sense of humor.)
Today
I was sure I could find the original homes of US presidents #2 and
#6, the Adamses. And I found the Visitor Center, no problem. Sadly,
there’s no parking anywhere near there, even on Sunday mornings,
for RVs. Nearby parking garage has a serious height restriction.
As
I drove around and around looking for parking I also looked for the
houses, which should have been easy to see in contrast to the modern
buildings around the Visitor Center. Broad green area across the
street, and I was sure they’d be there. Honestly, I don’t know
where they’ve hidden them. I never found even a street sign to
tell me. If I could have made it to the Visitor Center I’m sure
they’d have given me a map, but that was out.
It
was truly bizarre. This is a National Historical Site, for heavens
sake. These were presidents. Moderately important presidents. I
mean, if I could find JFK’s birthplace, why on earth would John
Adams’s birthplace be a secret? Maybe you can tell I was
disappointed.
 |
| John Quincy Adams's birthplace |
 |
| John Adams's birthplace |
These
are photos I took from the internet. I now know these are salt box
houses – distinguished by a central chimney and a long sloping roof
that goes from 2 stories in the front to 1 story in the back,
creating the look of what used to be a box for storing salt. I found
all this online and now I drive around looking at houses and can
recognize them and feel so educated.
Randolph
Another
state and another town named Randolph. I finally got curious enough to look it up, and I don't know who the other Randolphs were named for, but this one was name for Peyton Randolph, the first president of the Continental Congress, which I guess makes sense, considering where we are.
Unlike the one in Maine, this Randolph seems to be
thriving. It’s clear from their City Hall.As many towns do, this one has memorials in front for the veterans of
the US wars. The one for the Vietnam veterans was striking. Many city halls have a drop box for
people to pay fines or taxes, as did this one, but they also had some
other drop boxes I thought were unusual. One of
these is for eyeglasses donations for the Lions Club; the other is
for old US flags that need proper disposal. Interesting use of retired mail boxes. |
| front of Vietnam marker |
 |
| back of marker |
Randolph
is the home of the Boston Higashi School – Educating Children with
Autism, according to their sign. Didn’t know there was such a
school.
Seemed
to be a nice town. Near downtown I passed Mother Anna’s Ristorante
and Bar. Sadly it was too early in the day for me to stop and
sample, but there were good smells coming from it.
Marshfield
About
35 years ago, my husband and I visited one of his oldest friends
here. I still have vague memories of the town and how pleasant it
seemed and have wondered if it still looked like it did. I was
afraid, being so close to Boston, it would have succumbed to takeover
building frenzies, but if it has, it’s keeping it well-hidden. I
was happy to see that it still looked as charming as I remember it. Houses are strung out along a 2-lane county road as in so many places
up here, but these houses are mostly set back from the road a little
way – about double the front yard that we had in Austin. And
they’re separated about the distance of a city block from each
other – close enough to be a community but not on top of each
other. Lots of old houses and old trees and almost all very well
kept – undoubtedly a lot of money here but it’s quiet,
self-assured money that doesn’t need to call attention to itself.
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