Robert Treat Paine Estate
Encyclopedia
The Robert Treat Paine Estate, known as Stonehurst, is a country house set on 109 acres (44 ha), designed in collaboration between architect Henry Hobson Richardson
and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted
. It is located at 100 Robert Treat Paine Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts
. Since 1974 the estate has been owned by the City of Waltham and its grounds kept as a public park, and is believed to be the only residential collaboration by Richardson and Olmsted that is open to the public.
(1835–1910) and his wife Lydia Lyman Paine commissioned architect Gridley James Fox Bryant
to build a mansarded Second Empire summer house in Waltham. The house and its site were paid for by George Lyman, Lydia’s father and owner of an adjacent summer residence, the Lyman Estate
. This house was deemed too small for the Paines and their seven children. In October 1883, Richardson and Olmsted made their first visit to the property to discuss relocating the house and expanding it. In July 1884, Olmsted and Richardson produced sketches for a new site atop a rocky ridge with sweeping views to the southeast. In the spring of 1885, construction began while the Paine family traveled to Europe with Phillips Brooks
, a family friend and pastor of Trinity Church in Boston. When Richardson died at age 47 in April 1886, the commission was close to completion. The terrace and some interior finishes were completed over the summer.
Episode #2104 of This Old House
featured a tour of the estate.
Henry Hobson Richardson
Henry Hobson Richardson was a prominent American architect who designed buildings in Albany, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and other cities. The style he popularized is named for him: Richardsonian Romanesque...
and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted
Frederick Law Olmsted
Frederick Law Olmsted was an American journalist, social critic, public administrator, and landscape designer. He is popularly considered to be the father of American landscape architecture, although many scholars have bestowed that title upon Andrew Jackson Downing...
. It is located at 100 Robert Treat Paine Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts
Waltham, Massachusetts
Waltham is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, was an early center for the labor movement, and major contributor to the American Industrial Revolution. The original home of the Boston Manufacturing Company, the city was a prototype for 19th century industrial city planning,...
. Since 1974 the estate has been owned by the City of Waltham and its grounds kept as a public park, and is believed to be the only residential collaboration by Richardson and Olmsted that is open to the public.
History
In 1866, Boston lawyer Robert Treat Paine, Jr.Robert Treat Paine (Boston)
Robert Treat Paine, Jr. was a Boston lawyer, philanthropist and social reformer and grandson of the signer of the Declaration of Independence...
(1835–1910) and his wife Lydia Lyman Paine commissioned architect Gridley James Fox Bryant
Gridley James Fox Bryant
Gridley James Fox Bryant was a famous 19th century Boston architect and builder. His work was seen in custom houses, government buildings, churches, schoolhouses, and private residences across the United States.Bryant was born to Marcia Winship Fox and Gridley Bryant, noted railway pioneer...
to build a mansarded Second Empire summer house in Waltham. The house and its site were paid for by George Lyman, Lydia’s father and owner of an adjacent summer residence, the Lyman Estate
Lyman Estate
The Lyman Estate 37 acres , formerly known as The Vale, is a historic country house located at 185 Lyman Street, Waltham, Massachusetts. It is now owned by the nonprofit Historic New England organization...
. This house was deemed too small for the Paines and their seven children. In October 1883, Richardson and Olmsted made their first visit to the property to discuss relocating the house and expanding it. In July 1884, Olmsted and Richardson produced sketches for a new site atop a rocky ridge with sweeping views to the southeast. In the spring of 1885, construction began while the Paine family traveled to Europe with Phillips Brooks
Phillips Brooks
Phillips Brooks was an American clergyman and author, who briefly served as Bishop of Massachusetts in the Episcopal Church during the early 1890s. In the Episcopal liturgical calendar he is remembered on January 23...
, a family friend and pastor of Trinity Church in Boston. When Richardson died at age 47 in April 1886, the commission was close to completion. The terrace and some interior finishes were completed over the summer.
Episode #2104 of This Old House
This Old House
This Old House is an American home improvement magazine and television series aired on the American television station Public Broadcasting Service which follows remodeling projects of houses over a number of weeks.-Overview:...
featured a tour of the estate.