Among many residential homes and business’ on Boston Street is nestled the Clapp Family Barn. If you ride by too fast, you may miss it; a historic treasure trove that truly represents Dorchester’s oldest beginnings.

As one of The Dorchester Historical Society’s (DHS) many properties The Clapp Family Barn is believed to date back to 1850 and sits just north of the William Clapp House (1806). The Barn is next in line to undergo a mini facelift with renovations on the near horizon. Boston’s oldest house, The James Blake House (1661) also a property of the DHS, underwent a complete restoration in June 2007.

Dorchester was settled in 1630 the same year Roger Clapp arrived in the area to put down his family’s historical roots. Sunday’s open house gave visitors a glimpse of ‘old Dorchester’ the way it once was. 
 
The Roger Clap Innovation School (RCIS) along with the Dorchester Historical Society put on a great day for students and locals to come in and explore all the Clapp Properties. Raffles, pony rides, baked goods, and face painting with profits going to the RCIS. The weather could not have been more accommodating with sunny skies and warm temperatures. Folk tunes played in the background compliments of “Two for the Show” with singer songwriter Ellen Schmidt and Jake Kensinger.

Justin Vernon, principal at the Clap School, was especially pleased with outcome, “I would like to thank a couple of people for making today possible. First off, I would love to thank Jenna Brown who is our School Parent Counsel President. She and the School Parent Council have done a lot of work around making today possible. In addition to that I would like to thank Earl Taylor and the Dorchester Historical Society for opening up their grounds and partnering with us around today. We stand for five things at the Roger Clapp Innovation School; extra time for adults and students, rigorous instruction, the use of data, heavily involving our parents, and finally connecting to our community and what we are doing today really embodies that last tenet.”

The Clapp Family Barn and its adjoining properties are truly a marvel to explore. Stepping into the Barn is like going back in time. Antique sleds, wooden shovels, and original family Clapp tools dating back to the 1800’s were all on display for public viewing. Clapp toolboxes stacked on top of one another looking as though they have never been disturbed. The passion among the DHS’s board and its members is palpable.

“I taught for 8 years in Dorchester and I think it’s very important for the kids to know the history of the area and to appreciate it, it’s so old, “ said board member and teacher Mary Moran. “Dorchester goes back to 1630 and the Roger Clap School is named after one of the founders of Dorchester. The kids need to know that, there needs to be a connection to the area and an appreciation for it.”

Agriculturally the Clapp Family farmed their lands; they developed new varieties of fruits and plants. Most notably and associated with Dorchester were: the Andrews Pear, Harris Pear, Frederick Clapp pear and the Downer cherry. The family’s original pears were also the inspiration behind the pear statue that was dedicated in June, 2007 in Edward Everett Square; it featured a sculpture 11 1/2 feet high of the Clap Pear. The Dorchester Historical Society really does have the most educated history buffs in the business.