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Visiting Expert Evaluates Carriages in Longyear Collection
November 15, 2010
During most of Mary Baker Eddy’s life, horse-drawn vehicles served as the primary method of private and family transportation. Over some years Mrs. Eddy accumulated a small fleet of carriages of various types for her personal use and for the use of her household. Soon after buying Mrs. Eddy’s Chestnut Hill property from The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Longyear Museum was able to purchase seven of those vehicles from the church — including two sleighs, a utilitarian democrat wagon, three rockaways, and a surrey.
Longyear recently had this carriage collection evaluated by Merri Ferrell, author of two books on carriages and carriage history, former curator of vehicles at the Museums at Stony Brook (Stony Brook, NY), and a recognized expert on 19th century American carriages. Ms. Ferrell spent most of a day explaining the function, industry, history, art, recreation, and culture related to carriages.
The evaluation captivated the Longyear staff including Martha Lewis, Longyear’s Property Manager, who was originally interested in the evaluation from a maintenance and insurance perspective: “It was…fascinating to review each carriage with her….The details of the carriage house and each of the carriages themselves help to tell the story of what life was like during Mrs. Eddy’s lifetime.”
Ms. Ferrell also explained that the type and decoration of carriages revealed a great deal about their owners. She described Mrs. Eddy’s carriages as practical, democratic, good quality and very well made, but not ostentatious.
Excited to see such well preserved examples Ms. Ferrell continued, “It’s always a big thrill for me to see something in original condition... [The carriage house] is fabulous! I can’t tell you how many historic houses I’ve been to where the carriage house has been completely overhauled…[and turned] into the gift shop or the ice cream parlor….”
Longyear staff will integrate details from this evaluation into tours for visitors and into the regular care provided for the carriages and carriage house; conservation on the carriages will be performed as funding becomes available.
Above: Mary Baker Eddy’s rockaway carriages in the carriage house at 400 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
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