A few stories ago I wrote about the laying of the cornerstone for the Ipswich Memorial Building and told how Mr. Richard Crane wanted to construct a building and present it to the town, but that his generous offer was rejected. He had even purchased the land on South Main Street.

Following his defeat by the town he gave the land to the Ipswich Historical Society, which would enable it to move its headquarters, the Whipple House, from its location which is now the Sylvania parking are off Topsfield Road. I am not sure, but I think Mr. Crane paid for having the house moved.

Now, moving a house that was 300 years old required some real expertise and the most knowledgeable company available to do the job.

Fortunately, the B. F. Goodwin Co., which was nationally known as building movers, was located right here in Essex County (at Marblehead`. If this company couldn't move it, then it couldn't be moved.

The Goodwin Co. was hired. The first thing that

was done was to get the building ready for moving. The chimney was taken down and every brick was carefully numbered so that it could be replaced exactly as it was. A small ell had to be moved.

Large timbers were slid underneath the old house to replace the firm foundation on which it was sitting. Then blocking was set in place. Finally, on Dec. 15, 1927, all was ready and the house slowly began its way to its new location.

Electric and telephone crews went ahead to the house and took down the wires as a large truck with a winch eased the house along, and then replaced the wires. A crew stood by to replace the rollers or to adjust the jacks when necessary.

At the close of the first day of moving, the house ended UK, spending the night in Market Square.

The major problem over which most people worried was how the house could possibly make it over the Choate Bridge. But Mr. Goodwin said: "We will worry about that when we come to it."

When the house arrived at the bridge, it was jacked up so that it was higher than the ancient stones which would have impeded its travels and it glided over the top of the bridge.

—HAROLD D. BOWEN