33 North Water Street, Eben Hirst Building, c. 1822, Federal Style (Now incorporated into the Whaling Museum)

33 North Water Street, Eben Hirst Building, c. 1822, Federal Style (Now incorporated into the Whaling Museum)

The Eben Hirst Building at 33 North Water Street (now part of the Whaling Museum) was named for Eben P. Hirst. The building housed Hirst's plumbing company from 1918 until the 1960s. Now incorporated into the Whaling Museum, the building is the remaining north half of the William H. Allen Block that was built in 1822 and housed the Merchants National Bank until 1833. Allen was a tailor by trade but, with his brother Gideon, invested successfully in the whaling industry. Built in the Federal style, the building is detailed with brownstone lintels above the windows and modillions at the cornice line.