One of the earliest surviving structures in the state, the Hunniwell House is a low posted wood-frame cape dwelling (a side-gabled house, typically only one room deep). It stands one story high on a fieldstone foundation. The facade is composed of an off-center door with a window on each side. The door is topped by a four-pane transom window which lit the small hallway inside. The windows were replaced in the nineteenth century. The house has a central square brick chimney, rebuilt after the house was moved, which feeds the fireplaces in both front rooms. Built by Lieutenant Richard Hunniwell, one of the signatories to Scarborough's incorporation, the house was originally located in a field off of Old County Road. Hunniwell was a veteran of King Philips War (a conflict between colonists and Native Americans from 1675-78) and led the local militia. He and the other early settlers of Scarborough abandoned the community in 1690 due to continued raids by Native Americans, including one that killed Hunniwell's first wife and child. They returned in 1702 and he is believed to have built the house at that time. Hunniwell was killed in a major raid by French and Native American forces in 1703. His widow continued to live in the house until her death in 1732. After being abandoned for many years, the local Rotary Club convinced the owner to donate the building to the town for preservation. It was moved to a more secure location and stabilized.
Year Listed: 1976
For more information: https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail?assetID=43a578e1-f859-44ed-ac12-5a092a2ed0f2