Historic houses, structures, landscape features, and collections are key elements of the fascinating story of the interaction of people with the Massachusetts landscape over many years. Research, preservation, exhibition, and interpretation form the cornerstones of our stewardship of historic resources. Our historic resources range from prehistoric sites to 20th-century estates and various objects collections (including paintings, textiles, furniture, and various decorative arts) as well as archival collections (including photographs, prints, and paper materials). In 2001, our efforts were recognized with one of 15 National Preservation Honor Awards.Houses, Structures & Landscape Features
When viewed as a whole, the historic houses, structures, and landscape features associated with our reservations represent every significant architectural style from the settlement period to the late 20th century. Within this collection are First period (c. 1720), Colonial, late Federal, Greek Revival, New England vernacular, Victorian shingle style, Stuart style, Georgian style, Colonial Revival, Italian Villa style, and Modern (1960s).
Fine & Decorative Arts
Our various historic house collections of fine & decorative arts represent virtually every period of American design, illustrating a wide range of craftsmanship and reflecting the lifestyles of the families who built their homes and assembled their collections. Examples of furniture include Jacobean, William and Mary, Queen Anne, Chippendale, Federal, Empire, Victorian, and Modern, in addition to Shaker and Windsor. Collections of utilitarian redware and salt glaze ceramics of the 18th and 19th centuries are representative of domestic daily use, as contrasted by Chinese ceramics and Oriental Exportware reflective of our maritime history and the trade routes to India and the Orient. The homes of successful entrepreneurs and industrialists boast fine European furniture, silver, ceramics, and paintings. Many houses contain rooms with decorative wall murals.
We strive to maintain the Standards for the Preservation of Historic Buildings and Cultural Landscapes set by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. The Trustees has a collections management policy governing both its artifact and archival collections. All of the collections are made available to researchers by prior appointment. For more information about our artifact and archival collections, e-mail Susan Edwards, Director of Historic Resources, or call her at 978/921-1944 x1896.