As part of the 10 year anniversary of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, the workers at the Greenway Conservancy planned a very colorful event. Thirty dancers frolicked along the Greenway while seven different colored lights illuminated the fountains. New lights were installed specially for this celebration.
The event began with a pretty water display. Normally, the lights at the Greenway are white. But, for the first time, colored lights were installed at the Greenway for this special event. This event was held twice earlier in October. But those events weer held during the daytime without colored lights. I thought a night time display would be much more interesting.
After a few words from the creator of the event, Peter DiMuro of Public Displays Of Motion, there was a pretty fountain display.
Interpretive dancers began moving along the grassy greenway.
The highlight (no pun intended) of the event, was when the dancers made it to the brightly colored fountains.
The dancers, aged 14 to 75, were equipped with umbrellas while they danced along the fountains. They creatively used the umbrellas and light to make some very pretty colors.
There’s no word on whether the Greenway will conduct another display like this. But, if they do I will be there, umbrella in hand.
This one was particularly challenging to photograph. I used a higher than usual ISO (between 300 and 1,000) with a fast shutter speed (500 and higher) to capture the water as it shot up in the air and the dancers. While I did have a flash I used it sparingly. For one, I think the flash was frowned upon giving the fact the darkness mixed with the light from the fountains made the event so pretty. I also think it wasn’t necessary, especially since I could use PhotoShop to bring out the colors. I was also able to hide mistakes by utilizing the darkness ( :
Shoots like this are hard since you want to use a fast shutter speed to capture motion, yet you often want to use a slower shutter speed in low light situations. So, I compensated with a higher than usual ISO to capture as much light as possibly. While it varied throughout the shoot, I generally used a lower F stop (around 4.0).
Location: Park Hill Orchard, 50 Payson Ave, Easthampton, MA
Cost: Free
Universally Accessible: Yes. The staff at Park Hill Orchard offer a Accessible Art Cart for those who need assistance.
Dog Friendly: Yes
Summary: Art In The Orchard featured dozens of works of art from local artists.
Raise you hand if you’re sick of this cold and wintry weather. Since I still have lots of photos from events and places I have visited last year, I thought it would be a good time for a change of pace and post some photos from a milder, more colorful time.
Nature and art go hand in hand. Hence, the Art In The Orchard exhibit. The aim of Art In The Orchard is to blend art with horticulture. Two of my favorite things!
Created in 2011, Art in the Orchard is a juried outdoor sculpture and installation exhibit showcasing the work of local and regional artists. Set on the grounds of Park Hill Orchard, the Art In The Orchard event is nestled among apple trees, small fruit gardens and landscaped farmland.
Because there were so many art installations (well over 30) and in some cases lengthy descriptions of each exhibit, I am posting this event in parts. In fact, I have photographed this event in years past. But, it was too overwhelming and time consuming to post all of the photos from the exhibit. Maybe, in the future, if I can find those photos I took I can post photos from those other years. Also, since this was a “meet and greet” event, you may notice artists posing next to some of their works. As an added note, some of the names of the artists were very familiar as I have photographed some of their works in the past. For instance, Harold Grinspoon, the artist of the first work of art has many works of art installed throughout western MA, namely at the Big E Fair at the Eastern Exposition Center in West Springfield, MA, and at Mittineague Park, also in West Springfield, MA.
One of the things that stood out to me was how all of New England was represented in the art. From Vermont to Connecticut, people came from all over New England to show their art.
The first work of art at the event was “Big Bang” by Harold Grinspoon of Agawam, MA. “Big Bang” is made of charred wood center and acrylic rods. It is meant to be a celebration of special occasions and to remind us to be joyful of life. The rods individually capture light and reflect it back. But, together with others it creates an impact and good feelings in us.
“Baroque Composition, Standing Figure” by David Skora of New Hartford, CT, made of welded polychromed steel, is the next exhibit. Created in the modernist tradition, “Baroque Composition, Standing Figure” was a welded fabricated metal sculpture of abstracted forms. The sculpture attempts to appropriate the energy and exhilaration of David’s interpretation of the Baroque style of art and architecture he observed while visiting Spain.
The next piece is not really a work of art. The red frame is often used for people to take selfies or photos with friends and loved ones. The hills and trees make for a beautiful backdrop, especially during foliage. It is installed at every Art In The Orchard event.
“Acknowledgement” “by Diane Travis of Northampton, MA, is a nod to “land acknowledgement.” You may have seen some signs or markers on the ground acknowledging “native land” or other forms of land acknowledgement (I’ve seen several of them in Boston and Salem, MA). This installation, made of a found table, brass copper, aluminum, paint and wood letters, is meant to be a tangible. interactive sculpture situated on the land people to refer to during “land acknowledgements” at meetings and gatherings. It also pays tribute to the original people of the land.
A compass rose set upon the table orients the viewer in the landscape of Mt. Tom, short for “Tomhoganompekut.” Say that three times fast. I dare you. This name roughly translates to “Tomahawk Stone Place.” For millennia, Indigenous people used the unique stone there to make tomahawks.
Stools set at North, South, East and West invite people to sit and contemplate the land in all directions. Visitors are encouraged to sit and contemplate the land and history in all directions. The compass has an inner and outer circle of names; the inner circle refers to the Ancestral names of original people in the area. The outer circle names and acknowledges the continuous and current presence of Native people in the wider region of Dawn Land now called New England. “Acknowledgement” is meant to confront tropes of the “Disappeared Indian”, asserting, “We are here.”
“Big Mama With Glass ” by Robert Osborne of Athol, MA is the next art installation. I was fortunate enough to meet the artist of this work of art during the event. Robert told me the “Big Mama With Glass”, which is made of solid aluminum bar and solid glass rods, was the largest of his “Mama” sculptures. He said the “Dia generation” which is Michael Kimmelman’s label for minimalists and conceptualists many of which are on view at the Dia in Beacon, NY, to be the most relevant today. Their work, according to Robert, is about optics, light, architecture and a unique philosophical approach to seeing and thinking. Robert is also intrigued by the string constructions of Fred Sandback because of his exploration of volume and space. Robert hopes to make people question and really look closely and think about the images and their interactions with his art.
“Coming Home To Roost” by Easthampton resident Christopher Woodman was inspired by some unsavory looking guests in his backyard. The art installation, which is made of a factory fan hub, multiple hand saws and other found metals and wooden beams, was inspired by turkey vultures. The previous Fall, the trees in Christopher’s yard were the chosen home for dozens of turkey vultures. Christopher was taken by the calamity in their process. He observed that for masters of the wind, they don’t always stick their landings. At one point, Christopher counted 60 buzzards, which was close to 400 ft of wingspan.
When choosing a focal point for his piece, the vulture idea hit a lot of themes for Christopher. He especially liked using discarded parts and appreciated the balance of nature and renewal. He also wanted to show the ominous and foreboding specter of the future.
Gints Grinbergs of Dedham, MA created “Queen Anne’s Lace” with stainless steel tubing found metal rods, bent landscape spikes and cast off stainless steel washers. It strives to depict forms and structures found in nature as it reaches for the sky, turning it’s head towards the sun. The backdrop of foliage and pumpkins made the installation look prettier.
“Three Small Flames” by Antoinette Schultze of Eliot, ME, is the next art installation. The work of art, which was made of granite and glass, was a work of nostalgia. It represented her nostalgia for place, specifically home, with the candles burning. The three small flames can be found at the bottom of the granite installation.
Antoinette began her art career in 1961 when she auditioned for an Impressionist class at Columbia College in New York. Antoinette learned that an artist can express their feelings, not just copy nature. The materials and process of creating her sculptures are a manifestation of herself. Antoinette can carve stone and wood, coupled with glass into a marriage seeking light. Although the work is dirty, time consuming and laborious, Antoinette finds it to be meaningful and rewarding. The work brings order and insight into what she calls a chaotic world. Calling herself the “singing sculptor”, Antoinette said she often sings and speaks to herself as she works.
The next sculpture “River Siren” by Joshua Ruder of Greenfield, MA, is a little unusual. It is interactive. The sculpture made of stone, metal and concrete has a stone attached by a string to the other side of the sculpture. And yes, it does make a “siren song sound.
Joshua found the perfect curved contour in the stone while he was wading in a river. He felt compelled to carve the stone and continue the process of carving that nature had begun.
“Rebirth” by Gregory Didyoung of Wilmington, VT, is a sculptural interpretation of the phoenix myth. Reborn from its own ashes, the phoenix symbolizes renewal, resurrection and immortality. The sculpture was made of found metal and reused and reborn into something new. Cracking the nested egg into two halves the phoenix rises and flaps his wings for the first time.
While the meaning of “Erebus” by Trisha Moody may seem straightforward, it has a deeper meaning. The sculpture which is made of steel, iron and recycled tools is actually a commentary of human beings. The sleepy dragon which looks beautiful and dangerous, is similar to how we are often asleep and how we all react differently when woken. The dragon is playfully being tapped by the fairy to join her in the woods. It shows how two very different creatures can play together. It also shows how we have the ability to act together in a community and how we can choose to be the gentle giant or the fire thrower.
Brendan Stechini of Belchertown, MA, described his sculpture as being like a scientific instrument. He described it as being like a lighthouse with a round mirror that projects and reflects light, turning 360 degrees, oscillating like a weathervane. The mirrors on the outside legs capture the sky and the tops of the trees. The mirrors on the inside reflect the ground and our footprints. At the top of the sculpture, the steel rod points to the heavens. Brendan suggests looking at the sculpture with “new eyes” and “holding a mirror up to it” This sculpture represents how we can look at the same facts from an alternative perspective.
Malcolm White of Leeds. MA made some impressive sculptures all out of grape vine. Perhaps you heard about them through the…well you know.
Malcolm’s installations consisted of Pegasus the hippo, Long Tall Sally the giraffe and Atlas the elephant.
Malcolm has two objectives for his work: making a connection and bringing some joy to those who view his work. Malcolm uses material found in the landscape where he lives and which will decay into the same landscape without harm to the environment. He feels joy and a connection to the environment when he is making his works of art. If viewers feel the same connection and joy, Malcolm feels he has succeeded in his goals.
Malcolm was inspired by Greek mythology when making these sculptures. For instance, Pegasus was a flying horse from Greek mythology and hippos, or as the Greeks proclaimed them “river horses”, fly about in the watery world. So, the hippo is worthy of the name Pegasus. If you have seen a hippo gracefully swimming underwater you can see why he named it Pegasus.
Location: Olde Mystick Village, 27 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT (1 hour southeast of Hartford, CT)
Cost: Free
Summary: The main attraction of the “Hearts On Fire” event were, of course, the ice sculptures. But, there were a few other surprises that made the event very special!
What goes better with Valentine’s Day than ice, dogs and a marriage bliss? I’ll get to the dogs and marriage later. But, first things first.
This year’s Frozen Art In The Village event consisted of 19 ice sculptures. At least I found 19 ice sculptures. The theme of this year’s festival was “Hearts On Fire.” The ice sculptures included everything from patriotic symbols (a tribute to America’s 250th anniversary) to cinema legends (Olaf from Frozen).
There was also a sculpture of a submarine, no doubt a tribute to the Mystic Waterfront and the role the maritime history of the Mystic waterfront.
Many of the ice sculptures were based on animals or were related to the businesses they were located at. For instance, this sculpture of a chocolate bar was located outside of Munson’s Chocolates.
And this shamrock was located near the Irish shop, Irish Eyes.
These are a few more ice sculptures based on the businesses they were located at.
The remaining ice sculptures were mostly animal related.
Dogs enjoyed the ice sculptures also. Keela, a 6 year old Great Dane, let me take her photo in front one of the sculptures.
One of the biggest attractions was the ice sculpting demonstration in the gazebo.
As I was looking for ice sculptures to photograph, I noticed this nattily dressed couple being congratulated by other visitors at the event. After inquiring as to why they were dressed so elegantly, the couple told me they had just been married in the meeting house around the corner.
And sure enough, several couples were waiting to get married or renew their vows.
Dogs were also allowed to participate in the ceremony! Bruno was a great best man!
Over the years, thousands of people have been married at this location. This couple couple was married 34 years ago at this very meeting place.
Marie Wiley has been officiating weddings and renewing wedding vows at the Meeting House in Mystic Village for the past 25 years. The ceremonies are done on a first come, first serve basis. They last about 5 to 10 minutes and there is no fee for the service. This was the last year she is officiating these ceremonies. But, Marie already has a replacement picked. So the tradition will continue.
As if all that wasn’t enough. There was a train with monkeys on it driven by a dog. Yes, you read that right.
That’s right. This cute little pooch drove the train with gorillas in tow. All the while, The Monkees theme song played in the background.
Just when you think you’ve seen it all! New Englanders never seem to amaze me. I can only imagine what will be there next year!
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Location: Northampton, MA (2 hours northwest of Boston, MA and 45 minutes north of Hartford, CT)
Cost: Free
Summary: Sculptors came to Northampton MA to show off their carving and sculpting skills. There were 16 sculptures with a variety of different themes.
The one good thing about winter in New England is ice! And there were many displays of ice in creative designs at the 15th annual Ice Art Festival in Northampton, MA.
The sculptors were given 300-pound blocks of ice to work with. The sculptures ranged from a wolf to a free form design. Since the event was nearby, I went to the event on both Saturday and Sunday. So I was able to take photos of the sculptures being made and the finished sculptures on Sunday. There were 17 sculptures listed. But, I could only find 16 of them.
It was interesting watching the sculptors sculpt the ice sculptures with some primitive instruments such as hammers and chisels. Or watching them use more advanced tools like chainsaws.
There wasn’t any risk of the sculptures melting as the temperatures were frigid. In fact, instead of walking to all of the sculptures on Sunday, I drove to the sculptures because of the frigid temperatures and wind. The sculptures were located in roughly a mile and a half radius. And they looked incredible. The sculptures were illuminated at night. Unfortunately, I was not able to see them lit up at night this year. But, you can see a light at the base of some of the sculptures in some of the photos.
The first sculpture I saw was “Dashing Through The Snow” by Katrina Dressler
Michael Rondeau sculpted Bon Appetite.
Soaring High With The Lucky Cat: 2026 by Marin Murakoshi was one of the more interesting sculptures. I think you can see the cat near the wings of the sculpture.
Eagle: Standing Tall by David Barclay had some very intricate details.
Siesta by Wayne Miller and Meg Kupiec was one of my favorites.
Time For A Nap by Marie Agresta featured a cat doing what else but taking a nap!
Winter Whimsy by Nathan Peterson had a more abstract feel to it.
Who knew there were giraffes in Northampton!? Well, at least they are in ice! David Barclay made this sculpture called Giraffe Mother And Baby. This was David’s second sculpture of the event.
Man’s Best Friend by Peter Vacchina and Maeven Broderick was one of the more popular sculptures. The Edwards in the heart is a reference to Edwards Church, the church where this sculpture was located.
How many fish do you see in the sculpture The Fish by Billy Poe?
I’ve never heard of their music. But, I hear the music of the person in this sculpture called RUMI from K-Pop Demon Hunters by John Collins is pretty cool.
Frozen Past by Chip Koser was a blast from the past.
Free Form by Andrew Campbell is another abstract sculpture.
Mighty Wings by Mark Bosworth reminded me of Game Of Thrones, a show I’ve actually never watched. But, I hear good things about it.
This owl sculpture by Brian McQuillan called Whoosie was very impressive.
I wanted to pat Lone Wolf by Michael Legassey.
All of the ice sculptures were so creative and amazing. Hopefully, next year I can photograph them while they’re lit. If you have a favorite sculpture let me know in the comments!
Location: Springfield Armory. 1 Springfield Armory, Springfield, MA (1 Armory St for GPS location) (2 hours southwest of Boston, MA)
Admission cost: Free admission
Parking: Free parking was available at the event
Summary: The Park Ranger Services at the Springfield Armory hosted a ceremony to commemorate Henry Knox’s journey across Massachusetts.
The Knox Trail, also known as the Henry Knox Trail or the Knox Cannon Trail, is a network of roads and paths which traces the route of Colonel Henry Knox’s “noble train of artillery” from Crown Point, NY, to the Continental Army camp just outside of Boston, MA. Knox and his team moved 59 or 60 tons of artillery. The trail, which was called a “Noble Train of Artillery”, was completed using primarily ox-drawn sleds (or sledges) and horses. It was completed in an impressive 56 days and spans approximately 300 miles. While the exact dates aren’t clear, it is believed to have taken place during the winter of 1775 to 1776. The map below shows the path they took. The blue line shows the exact path. It extends from the Lake George area to Boston.
For better or worse, it has been snowing or it recently snowed during many of my trips lately. This day was no different. And wow did it provide for a pretty backdrop!
This was my first photo shoot using my Canon R5 mirrorless camera. I think the photos might look a little more crisp and clearer. One thing I did notice is the camera and lens I used (Canon 35 mm) was better at focusing on the people and their faces despite the snow. My older camera (Canon 5D) would tend to focus on the snow and not the people.
The ceremony began with a march on the grounds of the Springfield Armory which included reenactors and animals.
These horses were used to move some of the artillery, emulating the original Knox Trail.
The Springfield Armory didn’t just have military weapons and historical information Knox Trail. There were a variety of old firearms and gear from different eras and wars.
These weapons showed below were involved in different mishaps during battle.
The first musket was struck by lightning. Because of the intense hear caused by the lightning, a regulation Civil War paper cartridge (which can be found to the right in the photo) was found intact in the breech (the rear end of the barrel where the gunpowder is ignited and the projectile is loaded) when the weapon was disassembled for cataloging and preservation in 1981. While the identity of the sentry whose weapon this was is unknown, it is believed it was a Confederate soldier because the bayonet was from a Confederate manufacturer (although Union soldiers often took weapons, ammunition, clothing and other gear from fallen Confederate soldiers and vice versa).
The barrel of the second weapon, which was found on a Civil War battlefield, was struck by a projectile.
During the Civil War, the stock (the main structural component in this case made of wood) of the third rifle, a British Enfield rifle, became impregnated with salt from perspiration. After the war ended, the soldier took the gun home and stored it in his barn. While it was stored, a porcupine gnawed at the stock in an attempt to chew out the salt from the stock of the rifle.
The other guns in the display were struck by projectiles.
There were many other weapons on display like these personalized weapons.
This Organ of Muskets is partially filled with 645 Springfield U.S. Model 1861 rifle muskets.
This quilt was made by various high school students in all of the cities and towns in Hampden county in Massachusetts to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Knox Trail. Another quilt from a different county in Massachusetts hangs in the Massachusetts State House. As an aside, 50 years ago, also to commemorate the 200th anniversary, reenactors hiked the original Knox Trail. Given our current weather conditions as we are expected 18-24 inches of snow and freezing wind chill temperatures today and tonight.
These are just a few of the weapons and military and gear with a historical background at the armory. It’s certainly worth another visit since I couldn’t spend too much time looking at all the exhibits in the armory.
There was also an activity learning area where people could make their own paper cartridges. Paper cartridges were a type of small arms ammunition used before the advent of metallic cartridges. To be clear, these were not dangerous on their own and no one was injured while making these cartridges. That I know of.
The main event, of course, were the cannon firing and rifle and musket firings.
The reenactors prepared for the cannon by priming the cannon before the firing.
A ranger gave some background info about the Knox Trail and what it was like to be in battle.
The reenactors did fire a canon. But, because of safety precautions, they had us stand far away and everyone was bunched up together. So I was out of position for the cannon firing. This was the aftermath of the canon firing.
But, I was able to get a photo of the firing of the rifles and muskets.
The reenactors were active and approachable at the event. I was able to take a few photos of them during the event.
There are bound to be many more 250th commemorations and celebrations this year. So, I’m sure I’ll be photographing more of these type of events throughout the year!
Summary: The Melha Shriners hosted their annual Feztival Of Trees to raise funds for the Shriners. People could bid on special trees with bonus gifts on or near them, purchase products from vendors, get their faces painted or just enjoy the festive at atmosphere.
It’s that time of the year again in New England. The time between the holidays and spring can be a little quiet, cold, dark and did I mention cold? It’s a pretty long timeframe. 60 days, 8 hours and 50 minutes. Not that any of us are counting.
But, fear not! I have lots of content from the holidays, and all of last year, to post until the weather turns for the better! Hopefully, posts like this will help bring back some cheery holiday memories!
Upside down Trees, Halloween trees and ladder trees were just a few of the Christmas trees on display at the annual Feztival of Trees at the “Big E” in West Springfield, MA.
The event, which is held to raise funds for the Chicopee (MA) based Melha Shriners organization. Their main mission is to help raise awareness and funds for the Shriner’s Children New England in Springfield, MA.
The biggest attraction of the event was the wide variety of Christmas trees. People could purchase tickets for any of the 86 trees and use the tickets to enter a raffle for the trees. The trees had everything from games to scratch cards on or under them. Any trees not claimed were donated to the Department of Children and Families.
This tree, and “upside down Christmas Tree” had toy trucks and games under (or above?) it.
There were dozens of trees at the event. Some of the trees like this snowman tree, had lights that blinked!
This tropical tree was popular with the visitors. I’m sure it helped people think of a warmer time and climate!
This ladder tree had everything for the handyman!
As you can see, the trees were very impressive and festive!
I especially liked this “Pizza Tree”! I mean, who doesn’t like pizza!?
And what would a Christmas tree feztival be without Santa and Mrs. Claus!?
Or, for that matter, Tinsel!?
Some people got into the spirit of the event. This Melha Shriner put a little color in his beard to show his Christmas spirit!
Others put on their festive clothing!
But, if people didn’t feel comfortable putting decorative sprinkles or color on their face, there was a face painter at the event.
As is the case with every event I document, it is the people and the happiness they feel that make these events special. This visitor’s smile is proof of the joy people felt!
Location: 21 High St, Salem, MA (about 30 minutes northeast of Boston, MA)
Universally Accessible: No
Cost: $40 per ticket ($50 if you purchase day of tour tickets)
Parking: There are several parking garages in Salem, as well as metered on street parking.
Summary: By showing the architecture and “bones” of the home, the Gedney House serves as a model for what the historic homes of Salem look like on the inside.
While we have seen all of the residential homes on the historic homes tour, there was one more building on the tour. But, it’s not a residential home. At least, not now. The Gedney House, once used for rooming, holding events and other occasions, the Gedney Home is now used to showcase the nuts and bolts, sometimes literally, of the homes of that era.
One of the oldest timber-framed dwellings in the country, the Gedney House was built by Eleazer Gedney, a wealthy shipwright whose family had arrived in Salem in 1637. The original structure was a basic post-Medieval center chimney plan consisting of a hall and parlor on either side of the chimney. The location of the house was near Eleazer’s shipyard on the South River. Gedney was married to Elizabeth Turner, sister of John Turner, who built the house of House of the Seven Gables. Although modest in size, the house had features which showed that it was built by a family of means; a spacious, decorative gable and two impressive summer beams (load-bearing building elements) in the main hall, an unusual feature as homes of this style typically had only one.
In 1733 a new owner expanded the house into a multifamily dwelling used as a rooming house. By the early twentieth century, when Salem was becoming home to successive groups of immigrants, the house was a tenement in the area which became known as Little Italy, reportedly once housing 25 people in four households. So much for building codes.
A local builder purchased the house in 1962 with the intent of turning it into apartments. An observant Salem resident, Elizabeth Reardon, noticed 17th century paneling in the trash as the renovations were beginning and alerted Historic New England, which subsequently acquired the house. Because of the halted 1960s renovations, much of the original framing is exposed for visitors to see today.
The exposed framing mentioned above can be found in the structure.
The house, such as it is a “home” is meant to serve as an architectural model to see the “bones” of these old historical homes. There were examples of the home’s architectural frame and design throughout the house. Some lit up for the holiday season. AS you can see, the paneling and wood covered a lot of the original str The photos at the bottom show the original designs of the building.
The “Great Fire Of 1914” in Salem took out much of the McIntire District. The Gedney House, however, was spared, barely.
The map below shows the area the fire spread (in red). The Gedney House is the x on the map.
Here’s a closer look
This concludes the annual Christmas In Salem historic homes tour!
Location: 1 Chestnut St, Salem, MA (about 30 minutes northeast of Boston, MA)
Universally Accessible: No
Cost: $40 per ticket ($50 if you purchase day of tour tickets)
Parking: There are several parking garages in Salem, as well as metered on street parking.
Summary: The home at 1 Chestnut St had a lot of pretty decorations, an interesting history and quite a few nutcrackers!
Constructed circa 1850 for Francis Cox and his wife, Ellen Barr, 1 Chestnut St exemplifies a blend of Italian Villa and Georgian/Federal styles. Cox began his career as a commission merchant in Boston supplying Cunard steamships (I had to Google that too!). Cunard steamships were those very long steam ships established by Samuel Cunard. Think of the Lusitania and Queen Mary. Or, better yet, “Steamboat Willie’s” boat. These steamships traveled between Boston and Liverpool, England. Following his retirement, he served as President of the Naumkeag National Bank, and Vice President of the Salem Five Cents Savings Bank.
Architecturally, the projecting entrance and bay windows of the home are believed to be the earliest examples of the Italian Villa style in Massachusetts. These elements contrast with the more traditional, boxy Federal features that align with the style of neighboring houses on the street, Prior to the home’s construction, the site was occupied by a bakery and vegetable patch.
Right from the entry and front stairway, the home at 1 Chestnut St was stunning.
The lighting fixture also had some boughs, appropriate with the theme of the tours.
These fireplaces are both black Italian marble with gold striated decor.
There were so many elegant and festive decorations around the home. Each home seemed to have one feature or theme that stood out. As you’ll notice in the photos, nutcrackers were prominent in the holiday decor of this home. And, quite a few Christmas trees! I wonder how long it takes to put all of these decorations up, and, even more daunting, how long it would take to take them all down.
Like many homes on this tour, this house has the original wallpaper. With a twist.
Do you notice anything different about it? The wallpaper was put on upside down! It’s a little hard to see. But, you can tell it is upside down by the flowers that seem to be growing in a downward angle.
This liquor cabinet had a very cool style. If you went into the room next to the this liquor cabinet.
If you go into the room next to the liquor cabinet, you can look through the liquor cabinet from that room when the cabinet doors are open. It’s kind of like a peep hole in your apartment or hotel room!
This is an antique English barometer from 1780.
This 1780s grandfather clock had all of the moon phases and seasons.
This was the last actual lived in home on the tour. There is one more home on the tour. But, it is more of a model home and not furnished. So, I hope you’ve enjoyed the tours of the actual residential homes in the Christmas In Salem Boughs And Blossoms tour!
Location: 4 Chestnut St, Salem, MA (about 30 minutes northeast of Boston, MA)
Universally Accessible: No
Cost: $40 per ticket ($50 if you purchase day of tour tickets)
Parking: There are several parking garages in Salem, as well as metered on street parking.
Summary: The home at 4 Chestnut St, another home of Deacon John Stone, was decked out for the holidays. They also let people tour the second floor!
John Stone, a third generation distiller and a deacon in the First Unitarian Church in Salem, MA, built this three story brick double row house in 1827 on the former site of Mrs. Dowst’s Candy Store. An example of the late Federal style, the house boasts a pair of interior chimneys at either end and features semi-circular fan lights over the front doors as well as symmetrically placed windows along its facade. Of note are the somewhat unique two separate, recessed, semi-elliptical arched entrances located in the center two bays of the block, so that each townhouse appears as a mirror image of the other.
The Stone family resided in townhouse #4, the western, or left, side of the two residential units, until 1839 when the building was acquired by Stone’s daughter Lucy and her husband, Salem merchant, John Robinson. Because of their long-time occupancy of the eastern half, the house was often referred to as “The Robinson Block.” After the Civil War the double dwelling became known as “The Studio” when Salem artists Frank Benson and Phillip Little rented the studio space in it. In the 1880s the property was leased by two physicians. Then, in the early 1900s, the east side of the property (#2) housed Miss Howe’s School.
All joining walls and doors between the two units were closed off in 1923 as #2 Chestnut and #4 Chestnut Street were sold as individual properties. The house at #4 Chestnut St was designated a Massachusetts Historic Landmark in 1969.
So, as you can see, the home has a rich history, no pun intended, and has gone through quite a lot of changes over the years.
Fun fact: Chestnut St is the widest street (by a few centimeters) in Salem, MA (ironically, it’s also a one way street) . So, take that Essex St! Now, you have something to talk about at dinner parties and blind dates.
The charming home on 4 Chestnut is actually a two on the corner of Chestnut St. One of the tour guides gave a brief background and history of the home in front of a very festive front door.
A pianist played traditional Christmas music in the living room.
The living room was designed by an interior designer from Atlanta. Of course, it was dressed up for the holidays.
As an added bonus, the Deacon John Stone home, one of a few he owned on the street, was the only home on the tour where they allowed you to visit the second floor.
The second floor had a game room with a pool table, elegant furniture and lots of photos and memorabilia on the walls.
I feel like I say this about every house I tour, But, 4 Chestnut St was a beautiful home with lots of charm!
Location: 9 Cambridge St, Salem, MA (about 30 minutes northeast of Boston, MA)
Universally Accessible: No
Cost: $40 per ticket ($50 if you purchase day of tour tickets)
Parking: There are several parking garages in Salem, as well as metered on street parking.
Summary: The house at 9 Cambridge St, aka the David Coggin home, has some interesting decor, artifacts and is cat friendly!
Like most of the homes in this neighborhood, this late 19th century, this late 19th century house was built on the site of an earlier building that was part of a larger parcel of land belonging to Jonathan Neal in the 1660s. The earlier dwelling remained in the family until the 1880s when tax records describe it as vacant and about to be demolished. Jonathan Neal’s name sound familiar to those of you who have been reading my posts. This home appears to have possibly been part of the parcel of land 10 Broad St currently stands.
Late in 1889 David Coggin, a renowned ophthalmic surgeon at Salem Hospital, had the current house constructed as a two and a half story residence with a gambrel rook in the Dutch Colonial Revival/Shingle Style. Coggin had another on nearby Chestnut St. But, he never resided there, selling the house soon after its completion to Nathaniel Osgood, a leather dealer, and his wife Eliza. Osgood was the son of the Salem portrait painter, Charles Osgood, whose well-known portrait of Nathaniel Hawthorne now resides in the Peabody Essex Museum. By 1900 the Osgoods had purchased a house on Chestnut St and rented out the house at 9 Cambridge St to a series of short-term renters, among them Charles C. Buffum, famed as the old “foxhunter” claiming to have killed more foxes throughout New England than anyone else. Buffum lives there from 192 until his death in 1915.
Like many homes on this tour, this home was deceiving in both size and style. While it may seem “cozy” and “quaint”, neither of which are inherently bad things, the home is bigger (over 1,900 square feet) than it may appear to be from the exterior.
The home had a distinctive charm and holiday appeal.
I adored the kitchen decor!
I thought this was very cool. When the home owners had work done on their home and grounds, the workers found some interesting materials. These pieces of dinnerware and other debris were found when the owners did remodeling and landscaping.
Something I’ve noticed in a few of the houses I toured was doors, holes and other entryways specially made for pets. This home not only had a walkway above the human furniture, it also had a hole for the cat to walk through. They have quite the life!
I liked how this tour guide got into the holiday spirit with his headwear!
This lighting fixture was very pretty! I would have loved to see what it looks like when it is lighted! Maybe I’ll see that next time I tour the home!
I always try to find something unique or different. Not necessarily anything different from the other homes. But, something that I haven’t posted about before. In this case it’s crown molding, or cornice.
Fun fact: While there may be some minor differences, wainscotting and crown molding are basically the same thing. The only big difference is location. The crown molding is located near the ceiling as shown above. Wainscotting is located low on the wall from the baseboard up to a chair rail.
This was an interesting Christmas tree. At least it’s easy to set up and take down!
The decorations continued into the porch and yard.
I hope you’ve been enjoying these tours! Three more left!
Location: 7 Chestnut St, Salem, MA (about 30 minutes northeast of Boston, MA)
Universally Accessible: No
Cost: $40 per ticket ($50 if you purchase day of tour tickets)
Parking: There are several parking garages in Salem, as well as metered on street parking.
Summary: Home to Deacon John Stone, the home sat 7 Chestnut St had some impressive decor and many original pieces.
Built circa 1827 by architect William Lummus, 7 Chestnut St was commissioned by Deacon John Stone as a rental property while the Stone Family resided at 2 and 8 Chestnut St (the Deacon was doing very well for himself apparently). Early tenants included the Reverend W.R. Babcock, minister of the Baptist Church and, later, James E Sprague, the high sheriff of Essex County.
The house, located on the right side entryway, is known for both its yellow exterior and the asymmetrical double-house design – a rarity in its time. The left side of the house features 4/3 pane windows, dormers and a rectangular entryway, while the right side presents similar windows paired with an arched double-door entry. Above the entryway, a rounded bay window provides additional changes from the left side.
As mentioned above, the home has very unique characteristics from the outside. The exterior of the building was decorated for the holidays.
This decor above the door stood out to me.
The line to get in to the houses can be long. So, we all took delight when these carolers stopped by. On cue, as the were singing, a light snow began to fall.
Eventually, we entered the home of Deacon John Stone, said to be the largest producer of rum in the area. The Deacon had his fingers in a lot of pots, apparently.
In the entryway, we were greeted by some musicians and signers playing holiday songs.
The home had a lot of vintage or original pieces.
The floors were said to have been original to the home.
And the wallpaper was either the original or a replica of the original wallpaper. It never ceases to amaze me how the wallpaper on these homes have lasted so long, especially since people smoked in these homes in the past. I have to paint my walls every few years.
This Berger chair is a vintage piece that would have been common when this house was built.
And I thought my recliner was comfortable.
The house was decorated for the holidays.
As the two trees suggest, there were indeed two separate rooms for dinner parties, festivities and other communal events. However, as was custom at the time, the men would congregate in one room while the women gathered in the other room. Some couples may still wish this custom was in vogue.
I had never seen ornaments of the early leaders of the country before.
Of course, the lighting fixtures caught my eye, especially since this one reminded me of a light we had in my childhood home sans the greenery.
This original fireplace has a very rare marble.
I always enjoy seeing the molding on the ceilings from which the lights hang from.
But, the holiday cheer didn’t end with the interior of the home. As we left the home, this decor was on the back porch.
New England Nomad 