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Edmund Fowle House

edmund fowle house

Built in 1772, the Edmund Fowle House is the second oldest surviving house in Watertown.  At the beginning of the American Revolution it served as headquarters for the executive branch of the Massachusetts government from July, 1775, to September, 1776. The Treaty of Watertown was signed on July 19, 1776, in the Council Chamber on the second floor.  This treaty was the first to be signed between the new United States (represented by Massachusetts) and a foreign power (the Mi'kmaq and St. John's First Nations).  Today, the Fowle House serves as the home of the Historical Society of Watertown, which was founded in 1888 by Dr. Alfred Hosmer, Rev. Edward Rand and Library Director Solon Whitney.  Take an online 3D tour of the Fowle House, then visit in person to learn about its history and the HSW's collection of artifacts.

Mission Statement

The Historical Society of Watertown, believing that a sense of history is fundamental to understanding human experience, collects, preserves, and shares materials from Watertown's past, so that present and future generations can comprehend more fully their predecessors, their community, and themselves. Pursuing the highest standards of collection, preservation, presentation, and management, the Society encourages and assists people of all backgrounds and interests to learn more about Watertown's varied history.