Senator Kennedy Delivers Keynote Speech at the Old Groton Meeting House

On Saturday, September 17th, State Senator Edward Kennedy was the keynote speaker at the National Register Listing Celebration for the Old Groton Meeting House. Created by the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act, the National Register of Historic Places serves as the official catalog of historic buildings, but of districts, objects, and archeological sites worthy of preservation in the United States. The register is part of a nationwide effort to support both public and private efforts identifying, evaluating, and preserving American archeological and historic resources.

Constructed 267 years ago in 1755, the Old Groton Meeting House has played a central role in both the civic and religious life of the Groton community. The current version of the building was the fourth of its kind to be built in town. The first building was constructed in 1666, when Groton was a frontier settlement, and was razed ten years later in 1676 during King Philip’s War. Returning settlers would construct a second structure in 1678, and subsequent population growth would necessitate the construction of a third meeting house in 1714, and the present one in 1755.

This past July the Old Groton Meeting House joined the Bennett-Shattuck House, Governor George Boutwell House, the District 7 School, Groton High School, Groton Inn, and Groton Leatherboard Company on the National Register as a place of historic significance.

Congratulations to Chairperson Louis DiMola, the Honorable Robert S. Hargraves Emeritus, Treasurer Allen King, and the rest of the members of the board on this auspicious occasion.

Photography Credit: Old Groton Meeting House Board Member and Groton Herald Photographer Steve Lieman.