classic Cape Cod

Officially recognized as the Hamblin/Baxter House, our home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the West Falmouth Village District.

 

It is thought to have been built by Barnabas Hamblin, one of the early village millers, circa 1787. This date is supported by the house's traditional orientation toward the south rather than the road.

 

In 1827, Hamblin's grand-daughter Phear married Joseph Baxter and they inherited the house. Records indicate the house was expanded soon after that—from a half-Cape (3 bays) to a full Cape (5 bays) and enclosed by a gable room with center chimney—most likely to accommodate the Baxter's six children.

​

In 1908, the house was passed on to Elizabeth Jane Baxter (Dinsmore), one of the six children.

​

Historical details thereafter are vague, but we do know that Lucy Forbes Bayard, my great-grandmother owned the house from approximately 1929-1952. Fondly referred to as "Gran Bayard," she spent many summers at the Cape house with her three grandchildren: Lucy (her namesake and my mother), brother Nicholas, and sister Nina.

​

In 1957, Gran Bayard died and the house was transferred to her son, Louis Bayard, my grandfather.

​

In 1988, after Louis' death, his eldest daughter (my mother) Lucy Bayard (Wood), inherited the house. 

 

In 2018, the house was transferred to me, Alison Wood, Lucy Bayard Wood's youngest daughter.