U.S. Customshouse
Also known as: Donald G. Trayser Memorial Museum
Why it's listed
Built in 1855-56 on Cobbs Hill in Barnstable, this red brick building served as the customs house for the Seventh Customs District, which covered Barnstable County except Falmouth. It has two stories, a hipped roof, a high granite foundation, round-arched windows with cast iron hood moldings, and a bracketed cast iron balcony over the entrance. Inside, cast iron columns with Corinthian capitals and a broad cast iron staircase survive. It was the first fireproof building on Cape Cod, and its Italian style stood apart from the region's wood-frame architecture. The architect is not firmly documented; Ammi B. Young of the Treasury Department is considered the likeliest designer. The district ranked fourth in Massachusetts, and shipping receipts declined after the Civil War until the district joined Boston's in 1913. The Post Office used the building until 1958, and in 1960 it became the Donald G. Trayser Memorial Museum, which shows maritime exhibits and eighteenth and nineteenth century artifacts.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites its architectural merit and its role in nineteenth-century Cape Cod shipping as seat of the Seventh Customs District. It was the first "fireproof" building on Cape Cod, and its heavy Italian style, massing and materials contrasted with the area's wood-frame buildings. Its architect is uncertain, but Ammi B. Young is considered most likely.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 75000239, listed November 12, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Cobbs Hill, MA 6A, Barnstable |
|---|---|
| County | Barnstable County |
| Listed | November 12, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75000239 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1855-56 |
| Architect / builder | Attributed to Ammi B. Young, Supervising Architect of the U.S. Treasury (not definitively established; local sources name Alfred B. Mullett) |
| Architectural style | Italian style; Renaissance Revival, North Italian mode |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Maritime History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the Town of Barnstable and used as the Donald G. Trayser Memorial Museum since 1960, with exhibits on Barnstable's maritime history; condition listed as good and altered. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Within district | Old King's Highway Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.70028, -70.29873 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 75000239.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7889722
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.