One of the more obscure, yet ancient buildings in Massachusetts is the Old Powder House in Somerville. With over 300 years of history, it pre-dates the United States and played a central role in the preceding months of the American Revolution. While it doesn’t take long to experience, the historic stone structure is worth the visit for any lover of Revolutionary War or Massachusetts history.
History
The approximately 30-foot tall Powder House was built by John Mallet on land he purchased around 1703-1704. It originally served as a (very sturdy) windmill for his farm and had three floors; however, Mallet sold his land and windmill to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1747.
The Massachusetts Bay Colony converted the stout windmill into a powder magazine, which was used to store gunpowder used by local militias (with two-foot thick walls, it could safely store the volatile stuff). This particular powder magazine would hold the largest supply of gunpowder in the colony leading up to the Revolutionary War.
In May 1774, British General Thomas Gage became the military governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. As the enforcer of the Parliamentary policies that so enraged many of the colonists, General Gage was greatly despised. But even in early 1774, many believed that war could still be avoided and Gage felt the best way to do so was to take away the colonist’s ability to wage it. He worked diligently to confiscate all military stores in and around Boston to include cannons, ammunition and of course, the King’s gunpowder. The Powder House on Quarry Hill (in modern-day Somerville) was about to take center stage in the pre-revolutionary chaos in an event now known as the “Powder Alarm.”
In the early hours of September 1, 1774, approximately 260 British regulars under the command of Lieutenant Colonel George Maddison departed Boston’s Long Wharf. This force rowed up the Mystic River, disembarked at Ten Hills Farm and marched approximately one mile to the Quarry Hill powder house with the mission to seize and return with the powder stored there. Local Sheriff David Phipps waited at the arsenal with wagons to transport the 250 half-barrels of gunpowder, which were successfully seized and loaded up to be taken to Boston. As this British force prepared to return as they came, a small detachment seized two cannons located in Cambridge Commons; however, the day was not over.
Word about the clandestine mission spread to the surrounding towns (and colonies) as a crowd gathered on Cambridge Common. Once the rumor that six militiamen were slain by British regulars on the common was passed along, thousands of colonists streamed towards Cambridge and Boston in belief that war had begun. While this “Powder Alarm” was not the start of the war, it was foreboding of the events on April 19, when the first shots of the war would be fired at Lexington and Concord.
Interesting Facts
- The Old Powder House is the oldest stone building in the state of Massachusetts
- The structure and surrounding land was sold to the town of Somerville for $1 in 1892
- In 1972, Somerville incorporated the Powder House into their official seal
Our Visit & Recommendations
There is not a designated parking lot for the Powder House, so look for street parking around the edge of the park. Also, if you are traveling with a dog, the Old Powder House is located in Nathan Tufts Park- so there is a lot of grass for them to run around.
While the structure is not regularly open for tours (not that there is much to see internally anymore- the original three floors have long been removed), you can possibly catch a docent tour that occasionally happens. The best way to learn more information on the Powder House is to go to the city of Somerville’s website where they’ve uploaded the most recent tour video.
It is amazing to stand in that quiet park and think that the seizure of the “King’s powder” from that stone magazine (and the subsequent rumor of blood shed) nearly started the American Revolution. Alas, it would be another 7 months before the first shots would be fired on Lexington Green.