Kingston
Massachusetts
Town of Kingston
The Town of Kingston is a coastal community in Southeastern Massachusetts located about 35 miles from Boston. The Town was incorporated in 1726, though prior to 1726 Kingston was known as the North Precinct of Plymouth. The first request to separate into an independent township was in 1717 when 41 men of the northern part of Plymouth petitioned the General Court to have the Northern Precinct be set off from Plymouth as a separate township so that residents could worship closer to their homes, than they had been. The General Court would only grant the township if the petitioners could support a public school. Several years later, in response to decisions being made about schooling in Plymouth, Northern Precinct residents raised twenty pounds to defray the charge of a school and again petitioned the General Court to divide Plymouth and erect a new town by the name of Kingston. The Court agreed and in June of 1726, Kingston became an independent town.
Through succeeding centuries the Town of Kingston flourished due to the productive lands of the Jones River and its tributaries. The abundant iron ore mined from the town's bogs was processed into tacks, nails, augurs, anchors, stoves, hollow ware, shovels and spades by the mills and foundries in town.
As one industry faded, another rose to take its place. Farming was succeeded by the iron industry, and that in turn was succeeded by the shipbuilding industry that flourished along the banks of the lower Jones River. The first warship, the Independence, built for the Revolutionary Provincial Government of Massachusetts was launched at the Drew shipyard in July 1776, commanded by Capt. Simeon Sampson, a Kingston resident. Though the Independence was the first contracted and commissioned warship, the Brig was the second Massachusetts warship launched, losing the race by two weeks to the Tyrannicide of Salisbury.
In the nineteenth-century nearly 300 vessels, large and small, were built in Kingston boat yards and sailed as fishing boats, whalers, coasters and traders in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and China trade.
While Kingston's shipbuilding industry flourished, transportation by land became easier and safer when the Old Colony Railroad came to town in 1845. As the years passed, the town settled into a productive period of trade and manufacturing: C. Drew and Company (1837) and Cobb and Drew (1855), were world renowned makers of tools and other iron products well into the twenty-first-century.
Towards the end of the nineteenth-century the building of commercials ships declined and one by one the yards closed. They were soon replaced by a few small boatyards; perhaps the most notable being the yard of George Shiverick. Shiverick designed and built racing yachts and the famed Shiverick catboats from 1898 - 1940, one of which was owned by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Today, Kingston is principally a residential community with a small number of professional fishermen and cranberry growers. A large proportion of the residents are commuters, many using the extended MBTA line. Much of the Town's commerce centers around retail business including the Independence Mall with its 100 stores located at exit 8 off Route 3. The Town's early history as a part of the Plymouth Colony settled by the Pilgrims has spawned an active historical community and specifically a historical society, the Jones River Village Historical Society, which maintains the Major John Bradford House (built circa 1714 by the grandson of the Colony’s first Governor, William Bradford) for public viewing and for seasonal activities.
The Town of Kingston has been active in protecting open space, acquiring several large parcels as public lands for open space, conservation and recreational purposes.
The Reed Community Building houses the Town's recreational programs for youths. Kingston is especially proud of its Norman P. Opachinski Athletic Field Complex, consisting of a concession stand and eleven fields for baseball, soccer, and football located near the town center on Pottle Street. The fields are under the direction of the Recreation Commission who also oversee the newly renovated Gray's Beach Park in Rocky Nook.
Another Kingston gem is its Public Library, which contains over 58,000 volumes and offers residents a place to meet one another and discuss community issues. The Kingston Public Library also offers the means for residents to learn about and better understand both their own heritage and the history of Kingston; helps with finding, evaluating and using information effectively on a broad array of topics; provides access to a strong, current collection of popular titles in various formats; and offers a range of programs for leisure activity.
In September of 2003, the Town Offices were moved from the Town House located on Green Street and occupied since 1841 to a new Town House on Evergreen Street adjacent to the Highway Department and the Animal Control building. The Town plans to complete the complex with the addition of a new Senior Center.
Recent News
Town of Kingston News : Pest Poisoning Kills More Than Just Pests
Pest Poisoning Kills More Than Just Pests Bald eagle found in Arlington fighting for life after possible poisoning. Additional…
Read More »Town of Kingston News : Aerial Spraying of Pesticides
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Read More »Town of Kingston News - Donation Drive For Plymouth Area Coalition For The Homeless
Donation Drive For Plymouth Area Coalition For The Homeless The Kingston Public Library will be hosting a donation drive for the Plymouth Area Coalition (PAC) - For the Homeless beginning Monday February 27th, 2023 and running through Saturday…
Read More »Town of Kingston News Rabies Clinic
Rabies Clinic Rabies Clinic Flyer Date: Saturday April 1, 2023 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon Location: Kingston Animal Shelter 28 Evergreen Street, Kingston, MA 02364 Cost: $10 per…
Read More »Town of Kingston News Recreation Jobs
The Parks & Recreation Department is accepting applications for Gray's Beach Park Waterfront/Park Director and Lifeguard/Park Staff. Click on the link below, scroll down to the Forms column for the Gray's Beach Park Staff Job Descriptions &…
Read More »Town Of Kingston News : Annual Town Election 2023
Nomination Papers Candidate Nomination Papers available in the Town Clerks Office on Monday, January 9, 2023. Nomination requires the certified signatures of registered Kingston Voters only. Candidate Packet Election Deadlines: - Last day to…
Read More »Town of Kingston News - 2023 Dog Licensing
2023 Dog Licensing Begins December 16, 2022 Don’t forget to license your dog for 2023! $10 for spayed/neutered dogs $20 for intact dogs Must provide proof of rabies vaccination and spay/neuter certificate from Veterinarian to the Town…
Read More »Town Of Kingston News : Silver Lake School Committee - Open Seat Available
Due to a recent resignation from the Silver Lake School Committee, the Kingston members of the Silver Lake School Committee and Board of Selectmen are seeking candidates interested in filling the open seat until the next Town election in April 2023.…
Read More »Town of Kingston News : Eversource Reliability Upgrade To Primary Wires -West Street
Eversource is doing a reliability upgrade to the primary wires along West Street. In order to complete the work, the street lights have been removed. The street lights should be reinstalled by February 1, 2023.
Read More »Town of Kingston News : FY24 Town Administrator's Proposed Budget Information
Click here to View the Information About Town of Kingston News : FY24 Town Administrator's Proposed Budget Information
Read More »Town of Kingston News Holiday Toy Drive Benefiting Toys For Tots
Kingston Fire will be accepting new unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots program from now until Dec 18th, 2022 at Kingston Fire Headquarters, 105 Pembroke St, and Town Hall, 26 Evergreen St. Santa and his helpers will also be collecting toys and…
Read More »Town of Kingston News December Art Gallery: Abstract Art by Rose Mamakos
For the month of December, the Kingston Public Library will feature an exhibit of abstract art by local artist Rose Mamakos. Mamakos is a self-taught fluid artist from Kingston, Mass. who loves bright and vibrant colors and constructing movement in…
Read More »Town of Kingston News : Library, Recreation Department Events DuringLuminaries On Sat, December 17
The Kingston Public Library and Recreation Department invite everyone to enjoy an evening of community fun and cheer during Luminaries on Saturday, December 17, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. The full schedule includes: At the Kingston Public…
Read More »Town of Kingston News - Mulliken's Landing project updates
Mulliken's Landing project updates Conservation property Mulliken's Landing, at the corner of Landing Road and River Street. There’s a small dirt parking area, probably enough for 5 or 6 cars. This project was funded entirely through grants…
Read More »Town of Kingston News : Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is seeking two members
There are two Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Associate Member seats available. Please submit volunteer form to the Board of Selectmen's Office if interested. Appointed Volunteer Form…
Read More »Town of Kingston News : Silver Lake School Committee - Open Seat Available
Due to a recent resignation from the Silver Lake School Committee, the Kingston members of the Silver Lake School Committee and Board of Selectmen are seeking candidates interested in filling the open seat until the next Town election in April 2023.…
Read More »Town of Kingston News : Jones River Landing - Maritime Resilience Plan
The purpose of the LMR Plan is to provide a "roadmap" for the critical steps needed to make the Landing and Landing Road more resilient while sustaining the historic value and mission of this working waterfront from the impacts of coastal flooding…
Read More »Town Of Kingston News : Vacant Appointed Positions - Available
Boards and Committees have vacant positions available. Please submit volunteer form to the Board of Selectmen's Office if interested. Vacant Positions Available (PDF) Appointed Position Volunteer Form…
Read More »Town of Kingston News Board Of Trustees Of The Kingston Library Seeking Candidates
Due to a recent resignation from the Board of Trustees of the Kingston Library, the Library Trustees and Board of Selectmen are seeking candidates interested in filling the open seat until the next Town election in the Spring of 2023. Interested…
Read More »Town Of Kingston News : Kingston Renews Municipal Aggregation Agreement
Kingston’s current municipal aggregation agreement expires on September 1, 2022. Kingston’s electricity consultant, Colonial Power Group, aggressively sought out new pricing in a volatile market. Ultimately, due to market volatility,…
Read More »Town of Kingston News : Curbside Mattress Recycling Pickup - September 19,2022
South Shore Recycling Cooperative and HandUp Mattress Recycling of New Bedford have teamed up to bring a curbside mattress pickup to several South Shore towns. They will be in Duxbury, Kingston and Scituate on September 19, 2022. HandUp will…
Read More »Town of Kingston News : MassDOT Responds to Town’s Request to Lower Speed Limit on Main Street
The Board of Selectmen received a request from residents of Main Street to lower the current 35 MPH speed limit. After hearing testimony, the Board of Selectmen submitted an official request to MassDOT to review the existing regulatory speed limit…
Read More »Town of Kingston News : Affordable Housing - Seeking Trustees
The Kingston Affordable Housing Trust is seeking volunteers to fill the 2 (two) currently vacant trustee positions. We are seeking individuals with real estate banking experience, real estate legal experience and /or real estate development…
Read More »Town of Kingston News Renews Municipal Aggregation Agreement
Kingston’s current municipal aggregation agreement expires on September 1, 2022. Kingston’s electricity consultant, Colonial Power Group, aggressively sought out new pricing in a volatile market. Ultimately, due to market volatility,…
Read More »Town of Kingston News : Board of Trustees of the Kingston Library seekingcandidates
Due to a recent resignation from the Board of Trustees of the Kingston Library, the Library Trustees and Board of Selectmen are seeking candidates interested in filling the open seat until the next Town election in the Spring of 2023. Interested…
Read More »Town of Kingston News - Early Voting for State Primary
Click here to Read More Information About Town of Kingston News - Early Voting for State Primary
Read More »Town of Kingston News : Mosquito Spraying
MOSQUITO SPRAYING! On July 14th. The Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project will be conducting mosquito adulticiding spray between the hours of 2:00AM and half hour before sunrise (5:00am). Weather permitting. Please close street-facing windows if…
Read More »Town of Kingston News Kingston Complete Streets Grant From Massdot
The Town of Kingston has been awarded a Complete Streets grant in the amount of $399,599 from MassDOT. Complete Streets grants are awarded to fund local multimodal infrastructure projects that improve travel for bicyclists, pedestrians, public…
Read More »Town of Kingston - Kingston School Committee seeking candidate for open seat
Due to a recent resignation from the Kingston School Committee, the Kingston School Committee and Board of Selectmen are seeking candidates interested in filling the open seat until the next Town election in April, 2023. Interested candidates…
Read More »Town of Kingston News : Eversource Reliability Project to begin shortly
On May 6, 2022, the Department of Public Utilities gave Eversource approval to construct the Carver to Kington Reliability Project. Over the next month Eversource expects to receive all outstanding permits and will be submitting a Grant of Location…
Read More »Town of Kingston News Historic Plaques
The Kingston Historical Commission announces the launch of a historic house plaque program to encourage an awareness of Kingston’s many historic structures. Houses should be 80 years old or older to receive a plaque. Research is done…
Read More »Town of Kingston News - Kingston Affordable Housing Lottery Jones River Estates
Kingston Affordable Housing Lottery Jones River Estates Kingston Affordable Housing Lottery Jones River Estates - 5 Barrows Brook Circle and 5 Captain Jones Way www.sebhousing.com $319,600 for a 3BR home (HOA fees are $80/month) The first…
Read More »Town of Kingston News - E Billing
ePayment Electronic Billing is now available to Kingston taxpayers through our third-party billing vendor. This service gives Residents the option to receive their Real Estate, Motor Vehicle Excise and Water Bills through City Hall Systems, a…
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