Jump to content

Provincetown Historic District

Coordinates: 42°3′2″N 70°11′13″W / 42.05056°N 70.18694°W / 42.05056; -70.18694
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Provincetown Historic District
First Universalist Church (photo taken in 2007)
Provincetown Historic District is located in Cape Cod
Provincetown Historic District
LocationProvincetown, Massachusetts
Coordinates42°3′2″N 70°11′13″W / 42.05056°N 70.18694°W / 42.05056; -70.18694
Area300 acres (120 ha)
Architectural styleMid 19th Century Revival, Georgian, Federal
NRHP reference No.89001148[1]
Added to NRHPAugust 30, 1989

The Provincetown Historic District encompasses most of the dense urban center of Provincetown, Massachusetts. The district is roughly bounded to the north by U.S. Route 6; to the west by the west end of Commercial St.; to the south by Provincetown Harbor; and to the east by the southeast end of Commercial St. It covers about 300 acres (120 ha), and includes more than 1,000 buildings. Its historic character spans more than 200 years of settlement, from the city's early years as a fishing community, to its development as a summer resort area and artists' colony beginning in the late 19th century.[2] The district was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.[1] Four properties in the district are also individually listed.

First Universalist Church

[edit]

The First Universalist Church, built in 1847, is the oldest church in Provincetown. Its "Christopher Wren" tower is thought to have been inspired by the famous English architect. It is now called the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House.

Center Methodist Church (former)

[edit]

The Center Methodist Church church building is the current home of the Provincetown Public Library and former home of the town Heritage Museum.

Provincetown Public Library (former)

[edit]

The former Provincetown Public Library building remained on the National Register after the library moved in 2005 to the Center Methodist Church, above.

Provincetown Post Office

[edit]

The Provincetown Post Office Building on Commercial Street, still the town's only post office, was built in 1930. It is a brick two-story building with a loggia of three rounded arches.

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. ^ "NRHP nomination for Provincetown Historic District". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2015-07-20.
[edit]