I grew up in this home, and now I'd like others to share the charm and beauty of a home that has meant so much to me. I am an educator, scholar, and a published poet, and recently, I have begun to paint and draw. I hold a B.A. from Stonehill College and an M.A in Renaissance drama from Howard University, where I was also a student of poet Robert Hayden, while he served as Consultant to the Library of Congress. I am currently earning my second Master's, this time an MFA in poetry. I have contributed to scholarly books and journals, most recently an article on the sonnet and Claude McKay in the anthology, The American Sonnet (University of Iowa Press, 2022), and I am the author of a chapbook, The Lover's Voice (1997) and a book, Broken Like Job (2005). I serve as a Mentor Teacher on behalf of the Folger Shakespeare Library Education department, am a contributing author to the Folger Guides to Teaching Shakespeare series, and am a member of the poetry advisory committee to the Folger Library Poetry Program.
I currently Chair the English Department at St. Albans School for boys, where I teach Freshman English, a junior/senior elective in Shakespeare, and Crossroads in American Identity, a course I designed years ago and affords me the opportunity to explore not only the cultural and inter-textual crossroads of literary works but also their points of human unity.
What is special about this property?
The home's historical significance:
Upon moving to Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts in 1950, My grandparents, William and Marie Elliott, began an establishment known as Wagon Wheels, the first African-American bed and breakfast in Bourne, and perhaps, the first one on Cape Cod. For African Americans, Wagon Wheels served an important social and cultural role in the 1950' and 60's when racial tensions between blacks and whites were strained and African Americans had difficulty finding hotels on the Cape that would accept them or their business.
The Elliott's advertised Wagon Wheels in Ebony Magazine in the 1950's, and the list of guests who vacationed at 24 Old Plymouth Road is nationwide in scope, including visitors from Haiti. Guests returned for twenty consecutive years because they enjoyed their stay at Wagon Wheels.
24 Old Plymouth Road was built in the 1880's by Mr. Walter E.R. Nye, an innovator in cranberry picking on the Cape. Mr. Walter E.R. Nye and Mr. Evan S.S. Keith were important figures in the social and financial development of Cape Cod.
Walter E.R. Nye was a central figure in the social, moral and financial development of both the Cape and the Town of Bourne and the Walter E.R. Nye residence and estate was a central location in the town of Sagamore. In addition, a renowned New England woodworker from New Bedford, Massachusetts did the home's inner craftsmanship.
What is special about your town?
There's no bridge to cross to get to my home!
However, because of the canal, Bourne is now considered the ''first'' town on the Cape, as all three bridges (the Bourne, Sagamore and the Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge) are local.
The canal is world renowned for its superb sport fishing, scenic vistas, relaxing bike rides & walking routes, and for carrying vessels of all sizes flying the flags of all nations.
Bourne Scenic Park, founded in 1951
Bourne has numerous quiet harbors and inlets for boating and swimming, and the fishing and shell fishing in the area is particularly enticing and considered some of the most diverse in Massachusetts.
The Jonathan Bourne Historical Center is a wonderful example of the skill of well-known architect Henry Vaughan.
The well-known Massachusetts Maritime Academy is located in Buzzard's Bay, which a part of Bourne. MMA is a fully accredited, four year, co-educational state university.
Twenty minutes to the Plymouth, Massachusetts, which has many special features, including museums, historic sites, and other attractions
Thirty minutes to the Ferries to the Islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.