Cape Cod: Penniman House

Captain Penniman's House

Edward Penniman was a wealthy whaling captain who built a house on Fort Hill in the town of Eastham. It has been under restoration for awhile, and this last visit we finally got a chance to tour it. It was built in the French Second Empire style with a mansard style roof and elaborate millwork and design on both the interior and exterior. It even has a cupola on top where the Captain would sit and watch the children playing below, and the sea beyond. It is remarkably preserved. Most of the interior woodwork and wallcoverings are the originals.

Curving central hall and stairs.

The Cape Cod National Seashore purchased the house in 1963 for $28,000 from the Captain's grandaughter. Today it is worth millions.

Furnished bedroom.



















At the time, the grandaughter offered to sell the home's furnishings for a small additional sum, but was told the park service wasn't in the business of antique collecting. Talk about a mistake! Later they spent far more money in trying to locate and acquire some of the items from that original collection.

Millwork above back door.

The rectangular block design in the millwork is called dentil molding. Can you guess why?

As an avid lover of historical architecture, I loved visiting this house!