Three Centuries of Family Life
Coffin House is one of thirty-seven properties owned by Historic New England, the oldest and largest regional heritage organization in the nation. We save and share historic homes, open space, collections, and stories from the past to today. Learn more at HistoricNewEngland.org
Coffin House was occupied by the Coffin family over three centuries, and provides fascinating insight into domestic life in rural New England. The structure, which contains the family's furnishings, began as a simple dwelling built in the post-medieval style. Tristram Coffin and his family lived, cooked, and slept in two or possibly three rooms; their possessions were few.
Beginning in 1712, the house more than doubled in size to provide living space for a married son and his family. As the family grew, they added partitions and lean-tos so that different generations could continue to live together under one roof.
In 1785, two Coffin brothers legally divided the structure into two separate dwellings, each with its own kitchen and living spaces. With rooms from the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries, Coffin House depicts the impact of an expanding economy and new concepts, such as the notion of privacy, on architecture and modes of living.
Historic New England members tour for free.
Open
First and third Saturdays, June 1 - October 15
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tours on the hour. Last tour at 4:00 p.m.
Directions: Coffin House is on Route 1A in Newbury, across from the First Parish Burying Ground.
Parking: On-street parking is permitted for short periods of time.
Comments
Does the Coffin house allow paranormal groups to come investigate?
Exciting news to share about the 2021 season.
The Coffin House located just down the road from Spencer - Peirce-Little Farm will be open EVERY Saturday until October 16th.
Our first day open this year will be this Saturday July 3rd.
Guided tours are on the hour from 11:00am to 4:00pm.
Advanced tickets are required.
For tickets and more information:
https://my.historicnewengland.org/11768/11900
Tickets for guided tours of Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm can be found on the link below - if you would like to tour the two locations on the same Saturday!
https://my.historicnewengland.org/11702/12565
Coffin House, built in 1678, saw six generations of the Coffin family and underwent multiple renovations. The house had more than doubled in size by 1712 to accommodate the growing family, and it has rooms from the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries.
Thanks so much to IG user nbptdoors for this great !
Thank you so much to everyone who made Historic New England a part of their 2019. We couldn’t have had such a fun and meaningful year without all of you.
Want to help us save and share New England’s past for present and future generations? Become a member today or make a donation at HistoricNewEngland.org/Donate.
Our Instagram posts from 2019 (left to right, top to bottom):
• The Eustis Estate, Milton, Mass.
• Nickels-Sortwell House, Wiscasset, Maine
• Coffin House, Newbury, Mass.
• Faneuil Hall, Boston, Mass.
• Hugo the lamb at Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, Newbury, Mass.
• Remains of an R.I. home after a 1938 hurricane
• Cogswell's Grant, Essex, Mass.
• Arnold House, Lincoln, R.I.
• Browne House, Watertown, Mass.
Cradle to Grave: A lamplight tour of Coffin House, Swett-Ilsley House, and the First Parish Burial Ground is on Sunday October 27th from 6:30-8:30pm.
We still have a couple of spots open - please do not delay, as it will sell out.
For more information call 978-462-2634
For tickets:
https://my.historicnewengland.org/2767/4885
