White Houses of Cape Cod

I spent Saturday afternoon driving down the historic district on Cape Cod - from Sandwich, MA, through Barnstable, Cummaquid and into Yarmouth. This is some of the oldest settled areas in Massachusetts, and therefor the country. Sandwich was first settled in 1637 and incorporated in 1639 and is the oldest town on Cape Cod.

I'm not sure what the story is about this house above. It has a sign that says "Antiques - Closed", but it appears unkempt and possibly abandoned. The house seems to be from the early Federal Period (1780-1840) with center entrance with sidelights and elliptical window, double fireplaces, and shallow hip roof. The home is lacking shutters and dentil moldings common of the period and is general very simple in style.

This gorgeous house has been carefully preserved and is one of the most spectacular properties in town. It dates to the Georgian Colonial period (1690-1830). It's very square in shape, symmetrical lines with center entrance with flattened side columns and a decorative cornice. The windows are in the classic 5-across pattern with eight over twelve panes on the top windows and twelve over twelve on the ground floor.

The Newcomb Tavern, now a B&B, dates to 1693 and is classic Georgian Colonial. The portico may have been added later, but I'm not sure. I really liked their landscaping up to the front door. There's such a natural quality to it.

This building houses the Sandwich Glass Museum.

Leaving Sandwich, we are now traveling up Rte. 6A into Barnstable, settled 1636 and incorporated in 1639.

I'm not sure of the date of this house, although it is in the style of Georgian Federal. The cupola in the back throws me off, as do the large paned windows. The setting is so pretty, though, isn't it?

This house is in the Greek Revival style (1825-1860). This is a fairly simple version of the style, with it's pedimented gable, wide plain frieze, off-set door with narrow side lights and columned front porch.

This is the Barnstable House, which dates to 1716.

I don't know anything about this barn, aside from the vague Greek Revival feel of it. But I love the front barn doors with chevron patterned boards and diamond windows.

A little "Main Street" America with a series of small Cape Cod style Colonial homes.

This classic Greek Revival house is our last stop on Rte. 6A, in Yarmouth, MA, founded in 1639.

From here, I drove over to Osterville, MA, which is on the other side of the Cape (although not as far away as that sounds!). Osterville is one of the wealthiest communities on Cape Cod with multi-million dollar summer homes hidden behind tall fences and hedges. Most of these houses are newer, dating to the 20th and 21st Centuries. You can see hints of the older house styles in these homes and I think these are some of the most successful "in the style of" houses there.

This little house is so adorable and is likely an antique home. Take note of the twelve over twelve sash windows and stone foundation. Perfection!

Thank you for taking this little field trip to visit the White Houses on Old Cape Cod. Coming soon are the Yellow houses, Shingled homes, and some other fun treats - including movie shoot that I ran into!