In May 2024, Longyear Museum successfully completed a thorough restoration of 400 Beacon Street, the final residence of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer, Founder, and Leader of Christian Science. In this online series, we reprise “‘The Dearest Spot on Earth’” from the 2024 issues of the Longyear Review, taking readers on a tour through the interior of the immaculately restored house in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Each month, starting October 2024, we’re adding a new room from Part 1 of the series to the “itinerary.”
What happened in this room?
Named for the soft rose color—a favorite of Mary Baker Eddy’s—that suffuses nearly every aspect of the space, this was Mrs. Eddy’s private sitting room. Originally not part of her suite, it was remodeled in April 1908, with a door installed leading to her dressing room, study, and bedroom beyond, thus creating a modest apartment. Mrs. Eddy selected the wallpaper and had the furnishings brought from Pleasant View, including her beloved “whatnot” to display photographs, mementos, and gifts from students. The Pink Room was a gathering spot for her “family,” the site of instruction in Christian Science for her metaphysical workers, and a popular spot for musical interludes. After breakfast, for example, the household would often come together and sing a few hymns. Mrs. Eddy frequently sang along, her voice as “sweet and clear as a bell,” according to her secretary William Rathvon.1


Royally redone: Still clad in its original upholstery, the Pink Room furniture provided fabric samples for interior designer Molly Jonak to work with in sourcing new material. While off- the-shelf fabrics were used on most pieces in the house, the team was unable to find anything close to the exquisite silk floral damask, so they turned to a regal source: Gainsborough Silk Weaving Co., Ltd., in England, awarded a royal warrant of appointment by the British Crown. The custom reproduction process involved recreating the floral pattern digitally before weaving samples for approval. Custom fringe, tape, and cording trims were created by Samuel & Sons in New York.
Room with a view: Gainsborough custom-colored a stock floral fabric for the lovely reproduction drape panels; Samuel & Sons created the reproduction tiebacks. Historic photos showed delicate sheers with cutwork lace in Mrs. Eddy’s suite, the library, and two parlors downstairs. Molly worked with Cooper Lace in Amherst, Massachusetts, to digitally recreate these patterns.

Reproduction artwork: Throughout the house, Longyear’s talented team leapt into the breach when original artwork, visible in historic photographs, wasn’t available. In this room, for example, senior graphic designer Wendy Rankin recreated the images of Mary Baker Eddy and Asa Gilbert Eddy, which hang over the decorative mantel, from photographs in Longyear’s vault (photo at right). When the reproduction frames that 400 Beacon Street Site Manager Chris Rankin sourced proved too new-looking, antiquing glaze took care of that. Spandrel-style matting was custom made by Facilities Specialist Gray Carlson and painted gold to match. Wendy notes, “It was a team effort!”
The brief stops in these freshly interpreted period rooms touch on fascinating details about historic restoration. And they also offer a window into the daily routines of “family” life and the prayer and practical accomplishments that took place during the three years that Mrs. Eddy and her staff lived and worked here (1908–1910).
The Dearest Spot on Earth”: Part 1
Introduction
The Library (October 2024)
The Dining Room (November 2024)
Mrs. Eddy’s Study (December 2024)
The Pink Room (this page)
Still to come:
Calvin Frye’s Office
“The Dearest Spot on Earth”: Part 2
Introduction
The Kitchen
The West Room
Laura Sargent’s Room
The Sewing Room