DAL.MSS.151

Administrative Information
Access Restriction: Collection is open
Acquisition Information: Artificial collection of material Found in Collection
Accession Number: DAL.2021.030
Preferred Citation: DAL.MSS.151, Powder Point Bridge Collection, Duxbury Rural & Historical Society
Finding Aid Prepared by Isabel Newman (Intern)

Scope and Content:
This collection contains 62 items related to the Powder Point Bridge, also known as Long Bridge or Gurnet Bridge. The material dates from the time of the bridge’s construction in 1892 to its 100th anniversary. A collection of photographs taken during the reconstruction of the bridge in the late 1980s is also included. The collection provides information about this iconic Duxbury landmark, sometimes hailed as the longest wooden bridge in Massachusetts. This collection also offers a glimpse into the civic involvement of Duxbury inhabitants in the 1980s.

Series I – Bridge Maps and Plans
Series II – Reconstruction
Series III – Newsclippings
Series IV – Photographs

Biographical Information
The Powder Point Bridge, also known as Gurnet or Long Bridge, spans Duxbury Bay from the Powder Point peninsula to Duxbury Beach. Prior to its construction, access to the beach was made only by water or via Marshfield. The Wright family, who owned much of Duxbury Beach in the late 19th century, wanted a bridge to bring prospective buyers to their proposed cottage community. The bridge was built with funds from the Town of Duxbury, the County of Plymouth, and the Wrights. Construction commenced in 1887, and the bridge was officially opened on October 8, 1892. It originally had a draw to allow taller vessels to pass through it. It was also considered to be the longest wooden bridge in America, although this fact has been disputed.

In 1941 an act of the Massachusetts Legislature gave Duxbury sole control over the bridge. Major repairs on over half of the bridge were done in 1971.

On June 11, 1985, a fire destroyed over 20 feet of planks. Repairs to this damaged area revealed structural issues that caused the immediate closing of the bridge. The following year the bridge was demolished and a new wooded bridge was built in its place. Tropical hardwoods were used instead of oak and pine. The new bridge opened August 29, 1987.