Repairs to the Captain Penniman House at Cape Cod National Seashore have been completed/NPS file

Two years after work began to rehabilitate the interior of a 19th century sea captain's home at Cape Cod National Seashore, the job is done.

The work included repairs to damaged plaster walls and ceilings, conservation of existing historic wallpaper and conservation repairs to historic floor coverings. Additional work included refinishing the historic wood floors and re-finishing of wood trim, casework, and plaster surfaces.

The preservation work improves the conditions of the historic features and facilitates the park’s ability to maintain the resource in good condition. This work conserves and assures accurate treatment of historic interior surfaces, finishes, and trim and mitigates conditions that are currently contributing to ongoing deterioration and loss of historic integrity.

Back in 2015 work, financed in part by the Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore and Eastern National, began to address the exterior of the 1868 house and adjacent barn. The effort involved repairing the building envelopes to keep out the elements, applying much-needed paint, correcting structural issues, and installing new roofs. 

Then, in 2022, the Park Service turned to conserving the original carpets and wall coverings, repairing and painting walls and ceilings, and renewing wooden casework. The work was performed by a Great American Outdoors Act-funded Maintenance Action Team (MAT) composed of skilled craftspeople from the National Park Service Historic Architecture, Conservation and Engineering Center (HACE). 

An historic photo of the parlor of the Penniman house/NPS

Interior work included repairing the wallpaper/NPS file

Project assistance was provided by a preservation crew from the Student Conservation Association (SCA). The SCA provides young adults and veterans with meaningful historic preservation trades experience to develop a foundation in cultural and natural resources protection, and foster lifelong connections to the NPS.

According to the Library of Congress, "[T]he house was built by whaling Captain Edward Penniman in 1867-1868, who had shipbuilders from Wellfleet do the work. The home is a prime example of Cape Cod domestic architecture of its time, reflecting the influence of the French Second Empire style." The house was designed by an unknown architect, built by local artisans using the finest available materials, and sited on land purchased from Captain Penniman’s father.

Park Service historians say the home "had the first kitchen and bath with indoor plumbing in Eastham and the first indoor flush toilet in town." 

The Penniman House is located at Fort Hill in Eastham. The grounds are open daily, year-round. Park staff lead tours of the house during the summer months.