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Step in and enjoy the trip from the front door to the kitchen, which takes you through not only 300 years of history, but also through the middle of the main chimney. On your right is the library, the original room in the house. It contains Revolutionary War documents and a copy of a dinner invitation in President George Washington's hand to Timothy Pickering and his wife, Rebecca.

On your left, note how John Pickering, the 6th, who spoke 20 languages, and his wife Sarah White raised the ceiling height for a party, to keep up with the fashion of the early 1800's.

Look into the garden and imagine "Colonel Tim" in his retirement planting the copper beech, the English oaks, the European larch, and the tulip tree, all of which survive today, almost 200 years later.

Timothy Pickering spent all of his adult life in the service of his country. One of the few of his peers to actually take up arms, he marched on April 19, 1775 at the head of 300 men to cut off the retreat of the British from Lexington. Appointed by Washington as Quartermaster General in the Revolutionary War, he was present at the battles of Brandywine and Germantown and at Cornwallis' surrender. Pickering is the only person to serve three cabinet posts: Secretary of State, Postmaster General and Secretary of War which included administration of the Navy and Indian affairs. He oversaw the building of three noble frigates, the "USS Constitution", "United States", and "Constellation", starting a love of things marine for succeeding generations.

Walk from the 18th century dining room alcove out onto the stone patio and in the spring appreciate the flowering kousa dogwood. Extend your stroll across Broad Street into the cemetery where you will find old stones of Pickerings and others. Turn and admire the Pickering House and consider participating in the preservation of this historic homestead.