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Boston

Architectural, Cultural sights in Boston

  1. A

    1712 Ebenezer Clough House

    Behind the Paul Revere Mall in the North End. Ebenezer Clough, a Sons of Liberty member who participated in the Boston Tea Party, was a mason who worked on the adjacent Old North Church.

    reviewed

  2. Beauport Mansion

    The lavish ‘summer cottage’ of interior designer Henry Davis Sleeper is known as Beauport Mansion, or the Sleeper-McCann mansion. Sleeper toured New England in search of houses about to be demolished and bought up selected elements from each: wood paneling, architectural elements and furniture. In place of unity, Sleeper created a wildly eclectic but artistically surprising – and satisfying – place to live. Now in the care of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, Beauport is open to visitors. Beauport also holds afternoon teas, evening concerts and other special events.

    reviewed

  3. Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum

    New Bedford’s grandest historic house was designed in Greek revival style by Richard Upjohn (1802–78), first president of the American Institute of Architects. Occupying an entire city block, it was built for whaling merchant William Rotch Jr in 1834 and owned by three prominent families in the following 150 years. The house contains the furniture and trinkets of these families, tracing the progression of the house’s history through the years. The grounds are absolutely lovely landscaped gardens, and include the irresistible Woodland Walk.

    reviewed

  4. Historical Society of Old Newbury

    Cushing House, a 21-room Federal home houses the Historical Society of Old Newbury. The home is decked out with fine furnishings and decorative pieces from the region. Collections of portraits, silver, needlework, toys and clocks are all on display, not to mention the impressive Oriental collection from Newburyport’s early Chinese trade. The society offers guided tours, exhibits, special events and lectures. The last tour begins one hour before closing.

    reviewed

  5. B

    The Wayside: House of Authors

    The Wayside: House of Authors was at various times the home of Nathaniel Hawthorne, children’s author Margaret Sidney and Louisa May Alcott. Life-size sculptures and audio programming depict all three of these famous authors (and their families) during the times that they lived here. Now operated by the National Park Service, it is open by guided tour only.

    reviewed

  6. Great House, Crane Estate

    On Castle Hill sits the 1920s estate of Chicago plumbing-fixture magnate Richard T Crane. The 59-room Stuart-style Great House is the site of summer concerts and special events. It’s open for tours in summer, but only a few days a week. The lovely landscaped grounds, which are open daily, contain several miles of walking trails.

    reviewed

  7. C

    Stephen Phillips Memorial Trust House

    Lovers of old houses should venture to Chestnut St, which is among the most architecturally lovely streets in the country. One of these stately homes is the Stephen Phillips Memorial Trust House, which displays the family furnishings of Salem sea captains, including a collection of antique carriages and cars.

    reviewed

  8. D

    Ebenezer Hancock House

    Part of Blackstone Block is the c 1767 Ebenezer Hancock House in Creek Sq, home of John Hancock's brother. At the base of the shop next door, the 1737 Boston Stone served as the terminus for measuring distances to and from 'the Hub.' (The State House dome now serves this purpose.)

    reviewed

  9. E

    Richard Sparrow House

    As New England’s oldest European community, Plymouth has its share of fine old houses, some very old indeed. The oldest is the Richard Sparrow House, built by one of the original Pilgrim settlers in 1640. Today the house contains a gallery that exhibits interesting art by local artists.

    reviewed

  10. Jeremiah Lee Mansion

    The Marblehead Historical Society operates the Georgian Jeremiah Lee Mansion, which was built in 1768 on the order of a prominent merchant. It is now a museum with period furnishings, and collections of toys and children’s furniture, folk art and nautical and military artifacts.

    reviewed

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  12. Marblehead Arts Association

    Housed in the King Hooper mansion, four floors of exhibit space have shows changing monthly. Besides rotating exhibits, this facility hosts lectures, classes, receptions and occasional performance pieces by local artists.

    reviewed

  13. F

    Pickering House

    Furnished in antiques, Salem’s Pickering House is said to be the oldest house in the USA continuously occupied by the same family.

    reviewed

  14. G

    Spooner House

    The Plymouth Antiquarian Society maintains three historic houses, but only the Spooner House is open for tours.

    reviewed

  15. H

    Howland House

    The 1667 Howland House is the only house in Plymouth that was home to a known Mayflower passenger.

    reviewed

  16. King Hooper Mansion

    The historic King Hooper Mansion, built in 1728, is the home of the Marblehead Arts Association.

    reviewed

  17. Historical Society of Old Newbury

    Cushing House, a 21-room Federal home houses the Historical Society of Old Newbury. The home is decked out with fine furnishings and decorative pieces from the region. Collections of portraits, silver, needlework, toys and clocks are all on display, not to mention the impressive Oriental collection from Newburyport’s early Chinese trade. The society offers guided tours, exhibits, special events and lectures. The last tour begins one hour before closing.

    reviewed

  18. I

    Howland House

    The 1667 Howland House is the only house in Plymouth that was home to a known Mayflower passenger.

    reviewed