Tall Timbers is one of the more unique cottages in the Wesleyan Grove development, a religiously oriented summer community in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard. The cottage was actually built in two phases. The small two story cottage was built first before 1870 and features gothic bargeboard, lancet windows, and paired doors. It was purchased around 1870 by William Newell, of Rhode Island, who had a three-story wing added to serve as a summer cottage. The addition is notable for the full-length vertical boards that rise through the entire three stories without a break like trees after harvesting, likely the inspiration for the name of the cottage. William Newell was a manufacturer of brass fixtures and ran a foundry in Central Falls in Rhode Island. Mr. Newell was active in politics and early in his career joined the cause of the anti-slavery party, which was likely solidified in his experiences in the ethnically diverse Martha’s Vineyard.
Buildings of New England 
William Newell was my great-great grandfather.
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Oh wow! Is the home still in the Newell Family?
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Unfortunately, it is not. The current owner is Carl Sternberg.
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Could you contact me via my email address? I would like to ask you if you might have some information on another house that my family owned on Oak Bluffs.
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Of course. Feel free to reach out via email at buildingsofnewengland@gmail.com
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