11 Liberty St., Francis Kern House

The Francis Kern House, built in 1845 is a front gable, Greek Revival style home has clapboard siding with a simple door surround of two pilasters supporting an entablature. There are side lights beside the door and two over one window sash. These were likely added at the turn of the 20th century as that size window was not available in 1845 in Sandwich and 6 over 6 sash would be typical for the age and style of this home.

It is to be noted that several of the sidelights in the doorway are of etched Sandwich glass. The Kern's were a well known Boston and Sandwich Glass Company Family.

On October 24, 1865, an article in the Barnstable Patriot references Mr. Francis Kern as having been the victim of theft. Mssrs. Semeon Handy and Thomas Eldredge had stolen a sheep and clothes right of the line!

Mr. Kern came to Sandwich as a young man from Cambridge and served as an apprentice at glass-cutting in the Boston & Sandwich Glass Co. His brother Theodore was foreman in the department, He later attained the position of Foreman which he held for many years. He later purchased a farm in Spring Hill and he and his family moved to Medway.