Rotch Building, 2015 |
Whaling was Mr. Rotch's business and a large proportion of Massachusetts economy came from Nantucket.
Mr. Rotch was an owner of ships and real estate. He had constructed a building at 15 Main Street in 1772 that over the years served as a counting house and as the home of the Pacific Club, a place where cribbage was played.
Following the Antheneum fire of 1846, the Masons utilized the third floor of the Rotch Building as their lodge, until the group found a new permanent home on Main Street in 1890.
Drew Saunders and Bob McLaughlin on the third floor of 15 Main Street, Nantucket |
Today, Sylvia Antiques and the Four Winds Craft Guild lease the first and second floors, and have access to the third floor where the Masons held their meetings. On a recent visit to the store with my friend Rich Merriman, I had the opportunity to visit the upper level and discovered the scarred walls and colorful decoration of a 150 years of use that was unveiled along with the Masonic emblem during the repairs.
The following photos are the result of our discovery.
For a cost on any size or type of print, email george@rothackeradv.com.
or phone 610.220.9863.