Peirce-Nichols House

The three story wooden facade of the Peirce-Nichols House features distinct, oversized decorative wood carvings known as quoins that mimic stonework at the building corners. Built in seventeen eighty-two for Jerathmiel Peirce, a wealthy merchant, the house reflects the transition from Georgian symmetry to the delicate Federal style. Peirce once hosted a lavish reception here for President James Monroe, during which the town turned out in force, leaving the merchant with a massive bill for broken glass and damaged furniture the next morning.