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SPRING <strong>2021</strong> | 29<br />
and interesting details including original<br />
floorboards, a secret passageway and<br />
hand-decorated beams and paneling.<br />
The home contains an archive of<br />
memorabilia and historic photographs,<br />
documents and artifacts collected that<br />
document and preserve Swampscott's<br />
history.<br />
The first floor contains a parlor<br />
furnished with donated items from the<br />
Victorian period. In the kitchen, the<br />
pantry area was the original fireplace,<br />
with a small narrow passage to the main<br />
chimney of the house. The framing<br />
and handrail of the main staircase are<br />
believed to date to the mid-17th century.<br />
The kitchen stairs and the upper<br />
rail hall have wide boards called "king's<br />
boards" because the Massachusetts<br />
Colony was required to keep all wide<br />
timber for the king's fleet. The ceiling<br />
beams are original white oak with<br />
wooden pegs.<br />
The second floor has a museum<br />
room that displays a collection of<br />
artifacts and items donated to the SHS<br />
over the years. Many of the beams<br />
across the ceiling were decorated by<br />
Native Americans in the early 1700s,<br />
said Conner. A panel has been removed<br />
from the wall to expose handmade<br />
bricks and mortar mixed with seaweed.<br />
The third floor has a child's room<br />
and storage area, both with wide<br />
floorboards and original white oak<br />
beams. The set includes a settee, chair,<br />
rocking chair and table. All are handcaned<br />
with seats woven from rush with<br />
geometric designs that give a threedimensional<br />
appearance.<br />
Swampscott Public Library Assistant<br />
Director Susan Conner (no relation) said the<br />
house is a "really key element in Swampscott<br />
history, which after becoming the home of<br />
the Swampscott Historical Society, has had<br />
a long and interesting existence."<br />
Before the pandemic hit last year,<br />
Humphrey House opened its doors<br />
to the public every year on the Fourth<br />
of July and also hosted society events<br />
in September. The society's annual<br />
members' spring garden party was also<br />
held there. Prior to the pandemic, the<br />
annual (and popular) third-grade field<br />
trip was held at Humphrey House.<br />
"We've always had trouble finding<br />
volunteers to stay open, so we are<br />
limited," said Conner. "But we have had<br />
private group events at times and also the<br />
school tours, which we hope maybe will<br />
resume this spring. When you tour the<br />
house, you definitely step back in time."<br />
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