Built by David Nichols and purchased soon thereafter by Captain John Wilson, the house remained in the Wilson family until 1912. Through the years the house became a marine supply store, tea room and gift shop, photographer’s studio, candy store until it was given to the Historical Society by William McGaw in 1936 for ithe Society’s first headquarters and museum. The Wilson House remains the last unaltered example of the 19th century residences that once comprised Cohasset’s center village.