Before you stands the Edmund Fowle House a remarkable piece of Watertown history. This isn’t just any old house. It’s the second-oldest surviving home in Watertown after the Browne House. Built in 1772 by Edmund Fowle it played a pivotal role in the American Revolution.
Imagine the bustling activity within these walls during the first year of the war. The Edmund Fowle House served as the meeting place for the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. This was the de facto government during the British occupation of Boston. Committees of the second and third Provincial Congress met here from April 22 to July 19 1775. The Executive Committee continued using the house as a meeting place from July 19 1775 to September 18 1776.
Think about the weight of those decisions made within these very rooms. The fate of a nation hung in the balance. The Edmund Fowle House wasn’t merely a backdrop to history it was a crucial player. Even more incredibly it’s where the Treaty of Watertown was signed in 1776. This treaty marked the first agreement between the fledgling United States and a foreign power the Mi’kmaq and St. John’s First Nations of Nova Scotia.
The Edmund Fowle House wasn’t always located here on Marshall Street. It was originally situated on Mount Auburn Street then known as Mill Street. In 1871 Sturgis and Brigham Architects moved the house to its current location. They even converted it into a two-family residence. The Historical Society of Watertown acquired the Edmund Fowle House in 1922.
Thanks to significant restoration efforts funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts the Edmund Fowle House reopened in May 2008. The house boasts a Georgian architectural style. It’s a two-story wood-frame structure with a hip roof central chimney and clapboarded exterior. A five-bay front facade features a central entrance sheltered by a projecting enclosed flat-roofed vestibule.
Today the Edmund Fowle House stands as a testament to its rich past. It’s a local history museum a living archive of revolutionary times. Stepping inside is like stepping back in time. You can almost hear the whispers of history echoing through the halls. The Edmund Fowle House is more than just a building. It is a symbol of resilience a reminder of the crucial role Watertown played in shaping the nation. It is a story waiting to be explored. Enjoy your visit to this remarkable piece of American history.