New owner of Captain Hadley House begins renovations

MARION — A new owner of the historic Captain Hadley House, on the corner of Route 6 and Front Street, is making some big changes while keeping true to the building’s history.

Joshua Fischer, who purchased the building housing his medical practice in December 2025, is working with the Marion Historical Commission to update and renovate the aging building while ensuring it is properly preserved. 

Fischer said he’s always been interested in history, and was drawn to the building when opening a place to operate as a self described “old-fashioned” doctor. The Marion resident answers the phone, makes house calls and even carries a traditional doctor’s bag.

“I liked the fact that it's a historical building. I thought that is on brand for what I'm trying to do,” he said.”

His investment in history was formalized with the purchase of the building and decision to make some significant repairs and updates. 

There is a deed restriction on the 180-year-old former home of Stephen Hadley, which prevents any changes or alterations to the exterior. 

The Sippican Historical Society works to preserve this and other buildings in town, and Fischer has worked closely with President Will Tifft to ensure the exterior remains historically accurate.

Work has included replacing the roof, installing new HVAC equipment, rebuilding a ramp and back porch, installing new windows and repairing and painting the siding. Fischer estimated work will be completed by June.

Tifft said the historical society tries to respect the “organic nature” of a building’s life and preserve its history while working with owners to keep it operational.

“All buildings change,” he said. “The challenge in historic preservation is, do you respect the organic nature of a building's life? Or do you bring it back to some mythical period that it was the day it was built?”

Tifft and Fischer have known each other for several years, and often discuss their shared interest in historical preservation. 

Fischer said buying the house was a good business move, but he also wanted to contribute to the town he lives in.

“It's also a chance to do something nice for the town and renovate this beautiful building into what it should be,” he said.

The contractor for the project, Gerry Riker, said keeping the exterior true to its historic form hasn’t posed much of a challenge. The hardest part, he said, was keeping construction noise to a minimum to avoid disturbing other tenants.

Riker has personal experience working on old houses, as his own home dates back to the late 1800s. He said he appreciates working with the historical society as he renovates the Captain Hadley House.

“We're doing things the best that we can do on our end to match the historical look. In general, I think the historical society in any small town is a great idea, especially if they're willing to work with the contractors and the owners of the buildings.”