Monthly Archives: March 2016

“Down to the Sea in Ships” and the 1762 Elihu Akin House of the early 1920s

In 1921, the Akin House becomes a part of film history as a location for Elmer Clifton’􀁠s Down to the Sea in Ships.

These still photos provide a record of the east side of the Akin House, called the “Old Homestead”, and appears in a late sequence of the film.

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Down to the Sea in Ships was Clara Bow’􀁠s first released film and also depicts Dartmouth’􀁠s Apponagansett Meeting House.

It contains rare footage of a whaling voyage filmed on the Wanderer and the Charles W. Morgan.

This film about New Bedford whaling had its premiere at the Olympia Theatre on September 25, 1922. The whaling footage is considered the best ever filmed and among the rarest.

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The Akin House Property in the Context of South Dartmouth

For those of you who are interested in local history and the origins of the 1762 Akin House on the corner of Dartmouth and Rockland Streets, this link is for you.

The proximity of this south Dartmouth property to Padanaram Harbor [formerly known as Akin’s Landing] underscores the entrepreneurial spirit of the Akins of old Dartmouth.

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Historic Preservation Restrictions

Historic Preservation Restrictions [HPR] are a legal means to provide the highest level of long-term protection to significant historic properties in the form of deed easements.

This image of the 1871 Russell’s Mills Schoolhouse before exterior restoration thanks to Community Preservation Act funds is protected by a HPR.

You are invited to learn more about HPRs and DHPT’s role in HPRs in our community by going here.

 

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