thePULSE
Vincent Pacifico
One of Worcester’s least known treasures and oldest of its kind is the Captain Benjamin Flagg House, located at 136 Plantation. Built in 1717 on 150 acres of land that were granted to the Flagg family by the King of England, this is Worcester’s oldest house. This is one of the last 18th century buildings left in the city making it a rare gem and a true piece of Worcester’s history. The building is of the colonial period and it still looks just like it did over 300 years ago which is impressive. The home was restored in 1999 by a team of preservationists and it was advertised for sale in 2021 on a real estate listing which showcased photos of the interior and exterior of the home. A lucky buyer had the opportunity to obtain one of the most unique homes on the market, however, this home is not for your typical home buyer. Aside from some of the modern amenities such as indoor bathrooms and a furnished kitchen space, the home’s interior aesthetic is similar to that of the colonial interiors that you would see in Old Sturbridge Village.
The architectural style of the house is a Federal Style which means its gable ends are on the sides and the front of the house is symmetrical with its door and window placement. This is fairly common for homes from this period and through the mid 19th century. The home has a small addition on the right side which appears to be an early addition that was built shortly after the main part of the home was constructed. Homes of this age were built using the ‘post and beam’ method meaning its a heavy timber structural system. You can see this in the massive exposed floor and ceiling joists along with the vertical wood posts spaced throughout the home’s interior. The solid wood floor boards and wall sheathing are impressive in their size and something you rarely see anymore. A board that large can only be cut out of an old growth tree, meaning the wood came from a mature tree that could have been a couple hundred years old before it was cut down to make the lumber.
Original single pane wood window sashes and solid wood doors can be seen throughout the house which helps to retain much of the home’s historic quality. Original windows and doors are the most character defining part of a historic home. A massive central chimney was almost always seen in homes of this age which enabled each room to have a fireplace to keep warm during the winter which also gave the ability to cook indoors. The main gathering space has a massive brick cooking fireplace and stone hearth that still retains its wrought iron hardware.
Living in a historic house has both its charms and surprises. As the author, I can say that from my own experience. The poorly insulated walls and the squeaking floorboards are just a few of the quirks these homes offer. However, the unique quality and durability found within all of these early buildings makes you appreciate and preserve them and become a steward for the next generation to enjoy. These homes have stood the test of time but many have also been demolished or updated with modern amenities and finishes. Now while the Flagg house does have plumbing and electricity, it has retained much of its original materials and finishes which is rare to see. As this section of Plantation Street has slowly developed around the Flagg property over the past centuries, this home has stood the same with little modernization. As many people say, including myself, “they don’t make them like they used to”.
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