Sea Captains Row Listed as an Endangered Historical Resource

CCB MEDIA PHOTO: A home along Sea Captains Row in Hyannis

HYANNIS – An area of Hyannis known for its maritime history has been named one of Massachusetts Most Endangered Historic Resources.

Sea Captains Row on Pleasant Street, which features captain’s homes from the mid 1800s, was added to the list by Preservation Massachusetts – the state’s historic preservation advocacy organization.

Preservation Massachusetts President Jim Igoe says the properties have become somewhat dilapidated over time.

“There needs to be more emphasis to kind of distinguish what the historic maritime significance of this particular street meant to Hyannis and meant to the town of Barnstable,” Igoe said. “It’s a matter from our standpoint of doing more advocacy work in support of the group of people who are concerned in Hyannis about perhaps re-establishing a higher level of understanding of what Sea Captains Row actually means.”

Sea Captains Row was nominated by Dominic Alessandra, a concerned citizen and member of Keepers of Sea Captains Row.

“The time and opportunity is now to take necessary action to ensure [the homes] remain important in their historic role,” Alessandra said. “The listing will help support our efforts to reestablish Sea Captains Row as a vital asset to the history of Hyannis, Cape Cod and New England before it is too late.”

Igoe said the homes have been threatened for years by commercial interests.

The Keepers of Sea Captains Row encourages development in the area that will preserve the original buildings and promote their restoration.

The row is already receiving strong community support from Cape Air, Cape Cod Maritime Museum and the Hyannis Historical Society.

CARE for the Cape and Islands was awarded a grant to create a map of the area and a mural and storyboard are also being worked on for the row.

Pleasant Street has also been labeled as main priority for the Greater Hyannis Historical Society.

The Truro National Seashore District was also included on the list.

The 2016 Most Endangered Historic Resources list will be recognized at the annual “Believe in Preservation” event at the Worcester Historical Museum on November 3.

By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter