5. Historic Well

The Alden family used this well into the late 19th century. The contraption next to the well is a “well sweep.” Balanced on a Y-shaped wooden pole, the sweep enabled the user to easily raise and lower a bucket into the well. Sweeps were eventually replaced with pulley mechanisms. 

In the 1900s, grading for the Duxbury railroad tracks lowered water table levels. While the well itself ran dry, the railroad brought a steady stream of visitors to the house until the line was abandoned in 1939. 

When you are ready, walk back around the house to the elm tree at the base of the yard near the parking lot to hear more about the historic events that took place in and around the Alden home.