Every summer, the Longyear Museum staff takes an educational field trip. Whether visiting another museum in the area, chatting with colleagues at another historic house, or touring a site of general historical interest, it’s a much-cherished annual opportunity for professional development—and for fun, too!
This year, the staff visited the Eustis Estate in nearby Milton, Mass., where they were given a private tour. Built in 1878 for newlyweds W.E.C. and Edith Eustis, the ornate Queen Anne home is now under the umbrella of Historic New England, a nonprofit preservation organization that stewards more than 30 historic properties across five New England states. A rare example of late 19th-century architecture and the Aesthetic Movement, the Eustis Estate is set on nearly 80 lush green acres at the base of the Blue Hills Reservation.
“I really enjoyed the details of craftsmanship throughout the house,” says Longyear senior research associate Stacy Teicher. The original owners, she notes, “had enough wealth to surround themselves with beautiful details built right into the home, including artistically painted ceilings in some rooms, beautiful stained-glass windows, mosaics, and wonderful carved wood in the walls, stairways, and mantels.”
Given the fact that Longyear stewards eight historic houses of its own—ranging from the oldest in the collection, the Mary Baker Eddy Historic House in Amesbury, Mass., built circa 1780, to 400 Beacon Street, Mrs. Eddy’s final home in Chestnut Hill, Mass., built in 1880 and extensively renovated in 1907 prior to her arrival—it’s always interesting for the Museum’s staff to learn how other organizations care for and present their properties to the public. And this tour was no exception.
“Having just completed our own restoration at 400 Beacon Street, it was very satisfying to visit the Eustis Estate and see another restoration from a similar time period, so well interpreted, cared for, and loved,” says Sarah Sampson, Longyear’s senior manager of collections. “Our staff felt an affinity with the staff at Eustis, and appreciation for their work. The story of the Eustis family, particularly their love of ‘art for art’s sake’ came through with the colors, tones, and detail in the stained glass, woodwork, and fireplaces—all beautifully restored.”
After the tour, the staff enjoyed lunch and camaraderie on the property—and finally, the day ended with a visit to an ice cream shop, a long-standing Longyear tradition.
Until next year!