"Evergreen"
The property on which the Evergreen estate stands was originally a saltworks established by Samuel Dottridge sometime after he moved to Cotuit in 1808.
In 1891 John Morse purchased the Cotuit highlands property on Cotuit Harbor for $20, and three years later completed the construction of a hotel, which he named The Hotel Pines. This luxury hotel, with an 800-foot sandy beach and 19 acres of woods and old-fashioned gardens, offered its guests ballrooms, riding trails, motor tours, tennis, and swimming. Several auxiliary buildings, originally built as Captain's cottages along Ocean View Avenue, were acquired and used by the hotel to house guests. The Hotel Pines catered to upper-class Bostonians who often stayed for the entire summer.
Little is known, from the early part of the century, of the house and property which would become known as Evergreen. It was considered one of the larger beachfront private estate houses on Cape Cod, at one time having three associated cottages, some 12 acres of landscaped land, and a formal rose garden. The property was divided in 1919 in the estate of C.R. Codman and purchased by John Wright who presumably used the house for summer occupancy.
The property was purchased in 1948 by Nita M. Crawford, owner of The Hotel Pines, and granddaughter of John Morse. At that time, the former private house became known as Evergreen and was used by the hotel to house guests. The hotel closed in 1958 and the main building was demolished. The property was later acquired by Frederick C. Crawford. Mr. Crawford was best known for diversifying TRW, a manufacturer of aerospace, defense, and automotive products. He was also an Honorary Member of the Corporation of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Mr. Crawford and his wife, Kay, lived in the house until his death at age 103 in 1994. Kay Crawford donated the house and adjoining acreage to the Institution in 1997. Mrs. Crawford is deeply involved in the Oceanographic as an Honorary Trustee and Honorary Member of the Corporation.
The twenty-three room house on seven acres of land is used by WHOI for small conferences and staff retreats.
Last updated: August 3, 2009 | 
