The Wing "Fort House" has the distinction of being the oldest known homestead in the U.S. continuously owned by the same family. Stephen Wing either purchased the property, or was granted it (by the town of Sandwich) circa 1645. It was occupied by his descendants until the 1930's when the last resident, Cora Wing, sold the property to the Wing Family of America, Inc. [WFA]
The Wing Family of America, Inc. was founded in 1902 for the purpose of uniting the descendants of Rev. John Wing and his wife, Deborah Bachiler. Widow Deborah and her three sons, John, Daniel, and Stephen, were among the first settlers of Sandwich (in 1637).
The Fort house is the official headquarters of the WFA, and also serves as a museum. The museum's collection consists of furniture and other items donated by WFA members that was originally used by their Wing ancestors. Basically each of the rooms have been set up to represent a different time period (from the original "Fort House" room representing the Colonial period to the Victorian Parlor upstairs.)
Other highlights of the museum include manuscripts (wills, deeds, maps, Quaker certificate), a small genealogy library, and an herb garden.
Open Tuesday through Saturday from June 15 to September 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is a small admission fee.
For off-season visits please call the Caretakers at (508) 833-1540.
For more information, please visit: http://www.wingfamily.org/wingfamilyf...
