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HISTORY OF THE PANCOAST HOUSE

 

This historic home in the village of Lanesville, Gloucester, Massachusetts on the North Shore, about 50 minutes north of Boston, off Interstate 93 and Route 128. Lanesville has become a quiet artists' colony, very different from Rocky Neck, Gloucester, the oldest artists' colony in the US. The house was built in 1845, and was the summer painting studio of American Impressionist artist, Morris Hall Pancoastf from around 1945 until his death in 1963. The home passed on the the McQueen's in 1963 and I bought it from the McQueen family in 1989. I also purchased 2 paintings from the family. The daughter, who is also a painter and children's book illustrator, painted the two American primitives that hang in the living room of the house - a little boy and a little girl dressed in 19th century period costume.

 

I am grateful to Mr. Steve Ells who graciously provided me with a copy of an original  photograph he took of Pancoast in the 1950s, and it can be seen at:

 

 

Paintings of the house and the Lane's Cove in summer and in winter done by Pancoast can be seen at Mr. Ells site:

 

 

RECONSTRUCTION AND RESTORATION

 

A history of Lane's Cove and the life of the house is chornicled in Barbara Erkkila's book THE VILLAGE AT LANE'S COVE (1989), a copy of which is left in the house. It is one of only six houses that sits directely on the cove. The house is very simple and had not been lived in for several years and had suffered some damage. It has been carefully restored with builders and carpenters instructed to preserve the authentic feel of the period as it has seen several iterations as a fish house, a blacksmith's foundry and a painting studio. The attic has been expanded to contain two bedrooms with large picture windows overlooking Lane's Cove and Ipswich Bay with 180 degree views of the water. Crane's Beach can be seen on the other side of Ipswich Bay, and Seabrook, NH, to the east. The rocky backyard was overgrown with dandelions and digitalis shrubs. It was graded and a small lawn and patio enclosed by a picket fence covered with Virginia creeper was created. The house is furnished with antique and old furniture, pictures and maps from the era purchased from the previous owner and from antique stores in Essex and Gloucester.

 

HOUSE LAYOUT

 

The house has a view of the water from every room and is laid out as follows:

 

Top floor: Two bedrooms, one queen and one twin bed with sweeping views of the water and the great granite sea wall to the northwest

 

Middle (street) floor: Living room. Two bedrooms (one double and one twin bed. One half-bathroom

 

Lowest floor: Second living room. Eat-in kitchen with table to seat six, old GE stove, double door refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, cutlery and china. Full bathroom with bathtub and shower. Laundry room with washer and dryer

 

Yard: Small private enclosed yard outside kitchen with patio, outdoor furniture, market umbrella and barbecue. Overlooks Lane's Cove and ocean.

 

BEACH ACCESS

 

The nearest swimming beach is Plum Cove Beach with is a 5 minute walk down the road. A beach permit to access any beach in Gloucester is available from City Hall for a small fee if the rental is for 4 weeks minimum with a letter from the owner. Lane's Cove is not generally suitable for swimming, but scuba diving is permitted off the rocks nearby.

 

RENTAL

 

The house is occasionally available for rental. It is available for 2-week periods for up to 10 weeks during the summer. It may be available for a week at a time in the off-season. Rentals include water, heat, linens, and cleaning. However, the lease specifies certain terms and conditions related to maintaining safety and cleanliness. The house is most suited to artists, writers, and those who are not primarily interested in being on a large busy beach. Rent ranges from $600 to $1300/week and is negotiable depending on the duration, the number of people and the season. A discount is offered to single occupants and starving artists and writers who wish solitude. Smoking is not permitted and pets are negotiable.