Saturday, May 21, 2011

The Caesar Robbins House finds a new Home ...

Caesar Robbins House - most recent address

There is quite a bit of excitement in Concord, Massachusetts today.  After a two year effort by The Drinking Gourd Project of Concord, The Caeser Robbins house is on the move and heading to it's new location.  The house formerly on Bedford Street is the home built and inhabited by the descendants of a former slave and Revolutionary War veteran, Caeser Robbins.  It is believed that Caeser Robbins son, Peter Robbins, built the house and that three generations of the Robbins family lived in the home.  

The house being prepped for the move

The Drinking Gourd Project Inc. has worked tirelessly to save the house from demolition and to find a location for the home so that this piece of history can be shared by many.  Their mission is to raise awareness of Concord's African and Abolitionist history from the 17th to the 19th century. How fitting that this house's final resting place will be directly across from the North Bridge and the Old Manse.  

Caeser Robbins house on the move

It isn't everyday that you see a sight like this one.  Standing on the corner of my own street and seeing this home being paraded through town was a sight to behold.  Minutes before the house turned onto the corner, the local public works department were only steps in front of the parade cutting down low tree branches and hoisting up telephone wires.  

The house on the flatbed truck

There was a sense of solemness as the house passed by.  This is our country's history being carried down the street on the flatbed of a truck.  

The Caeser Robbins house comes home

Here the house is only yards away from it's last stop.  Once the house is settled in it's new site it will be known as the Robbins House Interpretive Center and will serve as a historical marker to remember the African and Abolitionist history in historic Concord.  

Bravo to all the people who took up this cause - it is a good day for Concord.

see you soon,
Ellen





5 comments:

  1. Fabulous photos, Ellen! It was a great day!

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  2. Lorell - congratulations to you! Your hard work and the rest of your group is proudly on display now! thank you.

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  3. Very interesting, Ellen. Concord is so full of history. It will be a great place to visit once the project is completed. Thanks!
    Mo

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  4. Hi Ellen, I loved this piece! I missed seeing the house move but had heard so much about it. I agree.. it is a very proud moment for Concord. Great photos! Thanks for sharing.

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  5. It really was special. Make sure you stop by and see it now that it is settled into it's new place.
    E.

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