Name/Title
Old Powder House, N. Somerville, MassDescription
Lewis Latimer made this sketch of the old Powder House, a landmark of the American Revolution in the Boston suburb of North Somerville. Latimer lived nearby in Somerville when he patented his first invention
in 1874. The drawing depicts the historic cylindrical stone structure with a conical roof, sitting atop a hill surrounded by trees and a fence. The perspective shows the steep incline leading up to the building, emphasizing its strategic position. The Old Powder House is a significant historical landmark, originally built as a windmill in the early 1700s before being repurposed as a gunpowder storage facility during the American Revolution. It played a key role in colonial and military history. It still stands today as a historic landmark.Context
This sketch appears to have been drawn based on direct observation, as indicated by the inscription mentioning that it was taken from a sketch. The structure itself is an important piece of American history, particularly during the Revolutionary War era. Drawings like this one were commonly used in the 19th and early 20th centuries to document landmarks before the widespread use of photography.Collection
Latimer Family Papers (1870-1996 ) [QPL Full Collection]Inscription/Signature/Marks
Transcription
"OLD POWDER HOUSE
N. Somerville, Mass.
from a sketch taken on the spot"