The original house was first built in 1716, by Captain John Minot, a soldier and a dedicated physician who loved his work. Being built close to the King’s Highway, Native Americans and other people over the years came to town right by the property. Perhaps some of these people were treated, operated on by the good Dr. Minot.
In 1730 another part of the present building was built next to the Minot House by the Josiah Ryder family; a two-story Federal-style home with a hip roof, an attic, and a basement. The Ryder family lived there for only a short time. They lived next to Captain John Minot’s home.
During the Revolutionary War, this house was used as a hospital and Room 24 was Dr. Minot’s operating room. The wounded were treated here with some success. Others may have “bought the farm” or “kicked the bucket” from their wounds.
Captain Joseph Eldrige bought the newer Josiah Ryder home.
At some point, the Eldrige family also bought Dr. Minot’s property; probably when he died. For the next 100 years, it was known as the Eldrige House, being passed down to descendants, such as Dr. Azariah Eldridge who enjoyed living in this Cape Cod location.
When more room was needed, another house was floated over from Nantucket and was added on a foundation at the rear of the original Eldrige building as more living space was desired. It wasn’t until 1860 that this house was added directly onto the main structure and added the third floor while they were at it. The Minot House was also made part of the Eldrige building along with two other nineteenth-century buildings, in the latter part of the 1800s. The owners also added a mansard roof and the portico sitting on the top modernized the house to fit in with the Victorian-style homes being built at this time.
Other people who owned the Eldrige House include U. S. Congressman Thomas Thatcher, Charles F. Swift and Ella Bray (local historians), and the Simpkins family. Sometime along the way, this once private residence became an Inn, putting this massive structure to work.
Learn more about the history of Old Kings Highway.