Chatham boasts some of the best preserved historic homes and buildings, culminating in Chatham winning the 2007 Distinctive Destinations Award by the National Trust for Historic Preservation! The Historic Preservation efforts by the Town and Residents are beautifully displayed in all the buildings and homes on every street and corner.
Chatham has several buildings and districts on the National Register of Historic Places. Preservation efforts are recognized locally each year with the Chatham Preservation Awards.
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Historic Preservation & Recognition
Featured Listings
- 2018-2019 Chatham Preservation Award Winners
In May 2019, award plaques were presented to three winners of 2018 Chatham Preservation Awards, and two winners for 2019. These plaques are reproduced on the detail page for this year's winners. - Chatham Historical Commission
Phone: 508-945-5168Chatham's Historical Commission is charged with protecting and preserving Chatham's historic character. Its mandates include promoting preservation of Chatham's historic resources and educating the public about the importance of these resources to Chatham's unique sense of place.Phone: 508-945-5168 - Chatham Historic Business District
Phone: 508-945-5168Chatham's Historic Business District encompasses the Main St. downtown business area. With buildings dating back to the mid-1800s, Main Street is the visually cohesive, true commercial and social center of town. National Register of Historic Places. The Chatham Historic Business District Commission (HBDC) is the town regulatory body with the purpose of promoting the culturalPhone: 508-945-5168 - Chatham Preservation Awards Launched in 2004, the Chatham Preservation Awards program aims to honor noteworthy efforts by local property owners and others to preserve and maintain historic residences and other important historic resources. Sponsored jointly by the Town of Chatham Historical Commission, the Town of Chatham Historic Business District Commission, and The Chatham Historical Society, the Awards are presented annually to local projects for a broad range of preservation activities.
- Chatham Preservation Award Prior Winners
- Chatham's Historic House Signs
Chatham homes or commercial buildings built 100 years ago (or more) are eligible for an Historic House Sign. These unique historic house signs identify the first owner of the building (“Anthony Thacher”), the original purpose of the building (“Homestead,” “House,” “Stable,” “Store,”etc.), and the date. The rich - Old Village Historic DistrictNational Register of Historic Places 2001
National Register of Historic Places 2001Established in 2001, the Old Village District protects more than 300 historic properties - approximately 85% of its structures - from demolition and substantial alteration. Residents work cooperatively to protect the oldest section of town. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: The Old Village Historic District is predominantly residential historic district encompassing t - Chatham LighthouseNational Register of Historic Places 1987
37 Main St., ChathamNational Register of Historic Places 1987Considered the iconic landmark of the town, the Chatham Light stands 48 feet tall and 80 feet above sea level overlooking the infamous Chatham Bar. It is one of the few lighthouses in America that still operates 24 hours a day. Everything you want to know about the Lighthouse, the Coast Guard station, and the scenic and historic immediate surrounding area known as the Light37 Main St., Chatham - Godfrey WindmillNational Register of Historic Places 1978
Chase Park, ChathamNational Register of Historic Places 1978Built by Colonel Benjamin Godfrey in 1797, the Mill remains almost exactly as it was when it was grinding corn for early Chatham residents. The Mill is located near Chase Park, off Shattuck place, just a short walk from the downtown Main Street. It is a prime example of a post-Revolutionary War commercial venture that served the community for more than one-hundred years.Chase Park, Chatham - Chatham Railroad MuseumNational Register of Historic Places 1978
153 Depot Rd., ChathamPhone: 508-945-5780National Register of Historic Places 1978The Chatham Railroad Museum is located in the old Chatham Railroad Company station on Depot Road, and has parking space at the door. The building is now over 130 years old and on the original site. A striking example of Victorian-era architecture, the railroad depot was the stepping off – and on – point for riders of the old Chatham Railroad, which served the153 Depot Rd., ChathamPhone: 508-945-5780 - Eldredge Public LibraryNational Register of Historic Places 1992
564 Main St., ChathamPhone: 508-945-5170National Register of Historic Places 1992The Eldredge Public Library was a gift to the people of Chatham from one of its natives, Marcellus Eldredge. The Library was dedicated in formal ceremonies on July 4, 1896, and opened to the public a week later. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.564 Main St., ChathamPhone: 508-945-5170 - Marconi-RCA Wireless MuseumNational Register of Historic Places 1994
847 Orleans Rd., N. ChathamPhone: (508) 945-8889National Register of Historic Places 1994Built for Guglielmo Marconi in 1914, the 11.3-acre, 10-building Chatham Marconi Maritime Center campus of distinctive structures has been preserved by the Town of Chatham and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Marconi's Wireless Receiving Station was initially part of his visionary global network planned to link America with Europe and Japan. Today, the Operations and Residence Hotel buildings serve respectively as CMMC's museum and Education Center.847 Orleans Rd., N. ChathamPhone: (508) 945-8889 - The Brick BlockNational Register of Historic Places 1979
National Register of Historic Places 1979The 1-1/2 story English Revival structure was built in 1914 by Joseph Nickerson, a master mason, to a design by Boston architect Harvey Bailey Alden. It originally housed shops on the first floor and residences on the upper floor.The Brick Block was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. - Louis Brandeis HouseNational Register of Historic Places 1972 National Register of Historic Places 1972The summer home of Justice Louis Brandeis, Associate Justice on the US Supreme Court from 1916 to 1939.The Louis Brandeis House is private property and not visible from the street. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1972. Read more about the Louis Brandeis House on Wikipedia.
- Mercelia Evelyn Eldridge Kelley HouseNational Register of Historic Places 2005 National Register of Historic Places 2005The Mercelia Evelyn Eldridge Kelley House is private property. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. Read more about the Mercelia Evelyn Eldridge Kelley House on Wikipedia.
- Monomoy Point LighthouseNational Register of Historic Places 1979
National Register of Historic Places 1979The Monomoy Point Lighthouse is located on the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, at the south end of Monomoy. It is no longer an active lighthouse. The property is accessible only by boat. - Port Royal HouseNational Register of Historic Places 1982 National Register of Historic Places 1982The Port Royal House is private property. It was was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.