Ipswich

Images of America: Massachusetts

by William M. Varrell, Ipswich Historical Society

Founded in 1634, Ipswich is one of the oldest towns in America. It currently has more First Period houses still lived in than any other community in the United States. It was originally the home of Colonial governors, renowned furniture makers, sea captains, and the Heard family, who were giants in the China trade. Added to the early settlers were immigrant millworkers and millionaires who built summer mansions. As nearby towns with broader rivers and deeper harbors became commercial successes, Ipswich went into decline. It was this "hibernation" that enabled Ipswich to maintain its earliest homes, spectacular scenery, and local charm. Through more than two hundred vintage images, Ipswich takes the reader on an exciting journey through the history of this unique town. It presents the town's creative artists, the lives and occupations of its everyday citizens, beautiful landscapes, the mills and the country stores, and the ships and shipwrecks that met the Ipswich coast.

235 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 20, 2001

Reviews

[Joan Buell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of historical pictures of Ipswich with informative captions. I especially enjoyed it as my ancestors, Henry Bennett and Lydia Perkins Bennett, were early settlers in the town.

[james l. royer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ipswich history

My wife and I live in Missouri, almost in the center of America, and yet we have vacationed many times in Rockport and the surrounding communities. We have been to Ipswich several times and will return in September of this year.

I love history and the seacoast and am an avid photographer. These photos in this book are great and tell the history in a very real way.