The “Quimby” barn once
belonged to Dr. Charles White in the nineteenth century and the site is
referred to as part of the Dr. Charles White Homestead. These buildings
were located on the lot across from the corner of Church and Maple
Streets. Originally, the barn held the stables to the White
homestead. Unfortunately, the homestead was destroyed by fire on November
22, 1923. The barn is the last remaining building on this historically
significant site. The
Eighteenth Annual Excursion
Bulletin of the
Sandwich Historical Society refers to the history, homestead and the
White family.
Quimby Barn is most noted for its association
to the Quimby School, which operated as a high school between 1921 and
1963. In 1927, Ellen White (the doctor’s daughter) sold the land and
barn to the Quimby Trustees for the Quimby School. According to
researchers and alumni, the shop at the school building was moved to the
barn about 1958. The barn was then renovated. A hard pine floor was
laid and a furnace installed so classes could continue during the
winter. The shop consisted of metal and woodworking areas; boys also
worked on cars under the guidance of teacher Eugene Whittemore. No
animals were kept there during that time. The barn also housed the
music department, where the Glee Club and orchestra practiced. When the
school was closed, the structure and land was sold to the Sandwich Fair
Association; the association is the current owner and the building is
leased for $1 (as of 2007) by the Sandwich Historical Society.
The barn is also the traditional starting place for
the annual Sandwich Fair parade.
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The Quimby Barn became
the home of the Transportation Museum in 1991, with the Society renting
the building from the Sandwich Fair Association. The Annual
Excursion picnic was held at the site in that same year. The barn was
open occasionally in the summer to the public for a few years. In 2006,
after years of being closed to the public due to low
numbers of volunteers, the museum was opened for three days during Old
Home Week and again for two days during Sandwich Fair weekend. This year
the
museum will again be opened in June, during Old Home Week, and Sandwich
Fair Weekend. (see
calendar of
events). The above vehicles are only a sampling of the many items in
the exhibit.
The Quimby
Barn Committee continues to work towards its goal to build a wing on the
barn to house and display the Sandwich Concord Coach. The barn would be
remodeled and continue to house the Sandwich Transportation Museum for
the enjoyment of generations to come. Fundraising includes sales of
pewter coach ornament and coach hats. |
