Knowledge (XXG)

Hunnewell Estates Historic District

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reopening of the trail and for reasons unrelated to the Covid-19 pandemic, chain link fences were constructed in December 2021 by Wellesley College blocking trail access on both sides of the Hunnewell property, preventing walkers from traversing the Hunnewells' rhododendron grove, obtaining a closeup view of the topiary gardens and circumnavigating Lake Waban.
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community to enter the properties to walk the private path around Lake Waban. Then, consistent with the closure of the Wellesley College campus to the public in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the lakeside path on the properties was also temporarily closed. Most recently, after a brief
533:"Hunnewell Farm" (1887) - 30 acre working farm on the Natick/Wellesley line, purchased by John Welles in 1814, though farmed since colonial times. The current large barn, with a main structure measuring 90' x 40' and a 10,000 bale capacity in the haylofts, was built in 1887. 378:
At their peak during the early 20th century 'American Country Place' era, there were twenty contiguous Hunnewell estates along Washington Street and Pond Road in southwest Wellesley. The estates have now been in the Welles-Hunnewell family for eight generations.
917: 1357: 1225: 1220: 337:(1810-1902), and continued with their adult children and the following generations. Mr. Hunnewell and his family gave much to the town of Wellesley (formerly West Needham), which was named after his wife's family - the Welles, and to Boston, with civic 1215: 848: 913: 893: 888: 883: 853: 903: 873: 775: 1352: 908: 898: 878: 858: 614: 547:"The Morrill House" (1775) - residence of Dr. Isaac Morrill, purchased by John Welles in 1836, and passed from him to his daughter Isabella Pratt Welles, wife of H. H. Hunnewell. The house was greatly enlarged in 1891 along plans of 1247: 868: 863: 1252: 1200: 1080: 1034: 967: 1130: 1105: 1065: 993: 962: 941: 1210: 1146: 1115: 1070: 1055: 1050: 1205: 1110: 1100: 1003: 1120: 1095: 1085: 1060: 1013: 998: 988: 972: 946: 1156: 1151: 1125: 1090: 1075: 1018: 1008: 768: 395:, as well as the farmland, gardens, landscapes, vistas, and natural native landscapes from development. These restrictions, starting in 1974, were among the first placed with the Trustees of Reservations. 1182: 1177: 1282: 784: 761: 1327: 321:
The origin of the Hunnewell estates dates to 1763 when Samuel Welles (1725-1799) made his first purchase of Indian lands in Natick and West Needham (later Wellesley). Welles was a descendant of
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None of the properties are open to the public. However, while maintaining its property rights in this regard, the family until March 2020 had traditionally allowed members of the neighboring
1337: 558:"The Pines" (1891) - residence of Isabella Pratt Hunnewell (1849-1934) and her husband Robert Gould Shaw, designed by Shaw & Hunnewell. Mr. Shaw is not to be confused with his cousin, 544:
and organized around long directed 'view avenues' to Morse's Pond and other features. The original house was pulled down in 1953 and replaced with a more modest brick dwelling in 1954.
1172: 1257: 823: 813: 78: 143: 466:. Mr. Hunnewell was his own landscape architect and did not employ a professional firm to lay out his grounds; his original design is essentially completely intact. 563: 103: 1262: 1294: 470: 306: 808: 48: 291:
families. The properties in the Historic District are still largely owned and occupied by members of the Hunnewell family. It was added to the
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as a residence for Jane Welles Hunnewell (1851-1936) and her husband Francis Williams Sargent. Jane Hunnewell Sargent was a grandmother of
329:. The properties descended to Samuel's granddaughter Isabella Pratt Welles and her husband, successful railroad financier and businessman, 292: 39: 744: 725: 695: 669: 541: 364: 508: 1347: 1332: 260: 458:. In addition to these and other outbuildings, the estate includes the 1755 house of Captain Aaron Smith, who led a company of 70 411:
The district includes the original Welles homestead, the Hunnewell Farm, and the eight contiguous country houses and outbuildings
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The family has placed hundreds of acres in the district under perpetual conservation restrictions, primarily with
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All of the properties within the district are private residences, and are not open to the public.
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during the US Civil War. This property is no longer in the family, having been sold to
530:, and including 1892 squash courts, being the first of their kind in the United States. 516: 202: 239: 1321: 439: 392: 360: 356: 322: 288: 280: 276: 264: 186: 536:"The Cedars" (1891) - residence of Henry Sargent Hunnewell (1854-1931), designed by 367:. Horatio Hollis Hunnewell was especially interested in coniferous and broad-leaved 372: 348: 338: 579: 500: 493: 345: 1358:
Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts
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Arnoldia vol.12, issue 9-12; Dec. 1952 - "The Hunnewell Arboretum, 1852 - 1952"
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residence of Walter Hunnewell (1844-1921) in the historic district. Architect:
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View of fields and pastures at Hunnewell Farm, Pond Road and Washington Street.
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National Register of Historic Places listings in Norfolk County, Massachusetts
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community for over 75 years via importing, testing, and distributing many new
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district's history and features (Harvard Arnold Arboretum bulletin article).
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National Register of Historic Places in Norfolk County, Massachusetts
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properties with farmland, gardens, residences, and landscapes of the
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original country homestead of the Welles family of Boston and Paris.
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and including many of the same elements as their design for
438:(1810-1902) and his wife Isabella Pratt Welles, designed by 110: 85: 785:
U.S. National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts
515:, which was designed and built contemporaneously. In 1881 526:
residence of Hollis Hunnewell (1836-1884), designed by
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residence of Walter Hunnewell (1844-1921), designed by
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Historic districts in Norfolk County, Massachusetts
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History of the National Register of Historic Places
791: 245: 232: 212: 182: 174: 137: 127: 415:built for himself and seven of his nine children: 519:redesigned the front entry and one interior room. 496:in New England (1892), in use until World War II. 16:Historic district in Massachusetts, United States 1338:Protected areas of Norfolk County, Massachusetts 1295:National Register of Historic Places portal 719:; "Private Pleasures Derived From Tradition, 564:54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 540:, and including a large landscape designed by 769: 477:, and including 1923 landscape design by the 8: 454:was added to the residence, all designed by 688: 686: 684: 682: 555:, Governor of Massachusetts from 1969-1975. 363:examples, and supportive leadership in the 931: 776: 762: 754: 662: 660: 658: 656: 654: 60: 40:U.S. National Register of Historic Places 721:The Hunnewell Estates Historic District 667:Arnoldia issue 64/4 - Hunnewell Estates 626: 742:; "The Hunnewell Arboretum, 1852-1951" 635:"National Register Information System" 23: 562:, who commanded the African-American 7: 640:National Register of Historic Places 293:National Register of Historic Places 365:Massachusetts Horticultural Society 257:Hunnewell Estates Historic District 228:, 19th & 20th Century Revivals. 32:Hunnewell Estates Historic District 499:"Walter Hunnewell House" (1875) - 14: 446:garden in the United States, and 1300: 1288: 1278: 1277: 832: 610:preceded by the Hunnewell estate 464:Battles of Lexington and Concord 391:, protecting Lake Waban and the 109: 102: 84: 77: 344:They also were generous to the 234: 1: 118:Show map of the United States 1343:The Trustees of Reservations 601:within the historic district 522:"Hill Hurst" (1883) - brick 389:The Trustees of Reservations 21:United States historic place 1258:National Historic Landmarks 473:guest cottage, designed by 1374: 1253:Cape Cod National Seashore 1273: 830: 233:NRHP reference  93:Show map of Massachusetts 71: 59: 55: 46: 37: 30: 26: 1348:Wellesley, Massachusetts 1333:Gardens in Massachusetts 1307:United States portal 419:"Welles House" (1770) - 313:'Italian Garden' on the 213:Architectural style 132:Wellesley, Massachusetts 469:"The Cottage" (1870) - 333:, and horticulturalist 804:Keeper of the Register 747:July 21, 2011, at the 728:July 21, 2011, at the 698:July 21, 2011, at the 672:July 21, 2011, at the 597:H. H. Hunnewell estate 587: 428:H. H. Hunnewell estate 318: 159:42.28000°N 71.308472°W 49:U.S. Historic district 819:National Park Service 799:Contributing property 645:National Park Service 577: 492:, with first private 327:Colony of Connecticut 315:H.H. Hunnewell estate 309: 702:. accessed 5.15.2011 676:. accessed 5.15.2011 584:Ware & Van Brunt 549:Shaw & Hunnewell 538:Shaw & Hunnewell 528:Shaw & Hunnewell 505:Ware & Van Brunt 490:Shaw & Hunnewell 341:in numerous fields. 207:Shaw & Hunnewell 199:Ware & Van Brunt 164:42.28000; -71.308472 456:Gridley J.F. Bryant 353:plant introductions 335:H. Hollis Hunnewell 195:Gridley J.F. Bryant 155: /  588: 553:Francis W. Sargent 331:landscape designer 319: 267:and Lake Waban in 1315: 1314: 1236: 1235: 935:Barnstable County 809:Historic district 740:Arnoldia Bulletin 717:Arnoldia bulletin 647:. April 15, 2008. 568:Wellesley College 560:Robert Gould Shaw 407:Historic district 400:Wellesley College 261:historic district 253: 252: 1365: 1305: 1304: 1303: 1293: 1292: 1291: 1281: 1280: 1194:Worcester County 1044:Middlesex County 932: 836: 778: 771: 764: 755: 703: 690: 677: 664: 649: 648: 631: 606:Arnold Arboretum 479:Olmsted Brothers 471:Queen Anne style 432:Italianate style 236: 222:Colonial Revival 170: 169: 167: 166: 165: 160: 156: 153: 152: 151: 148: 119: 113: 112: 106: 94: 88: 87: 81: 64: 24: 1373: 1372: 1368: 1367: 1366: 1364: 1363: 1362: 1318: 1317: 1316: 1311: 1301: 1299: 1289: 1287: 1269: 1232: 1189: 1161: 1135: 1039: 1023: 977: 951: 923: 842:Lists by county 837: 828: 787: 782: 749:Wayback Machine 730:Wayback Machine 712: 707: 706: 700:Wayback Machine 691: 680: 674:Wayback Machine 665: 652: 633: 632: 628: 623: 593: 436:H. H. Hunnewell 413:H. H. Hunnewell 409: 385: 304: 163: 161: 157: 154: 149: 146: 144: 142: 141: 123: 122: 121: 120: 117: 116: 115: 114: 97: 96: 95: 92: 91: 90: 89: 67: 51: 42: 33: 22: 17: 12: 11: 5: 1371: 1369: 1361: 1360: 1355: 1350: 1345: 1340: 1335: 1330: 1320: 1319: 1313: 1312: 1310: 1309: 1297: 1285: 1274: 1271: 1270: 1268: 1267: 1266: 1265: 1255: 1250: 1244: 1242: 1238: 1237: 1234: 1233: 1231: 1230: 1229: 1228: 1223: 1218: 1208: 1203: 1197: 1195: 1191: 1190: 1188: 1187: 1186: 1185: 1180: 1169: 1167: 1166:Suffolk County 1163: 1162: 1160: 1159: 1154: 1149: 1143: 1141: 1140:Norfolk County 1137: 1136: 1134: 1133: 1128: 1123: 1118: 1113: 1108: 1103: 1098: 1093: 1088: 1083: 1078: 1073: 1068: 1063: 1058: 1053: 1047: 1045: 1041: 1040: 1038: 1037: 1031: 1029: 1028:Hampden County 1025: 1024: 1022: 1021: 1016: 1011: 1006: 1001: 996: 991: 985: 983: 979: 978: 976: 975: 970: 965: 959: 957: 956:Bristol County 953: 952: 950: 949: 944: 938: 936: 929: 925: 924: 922: 921: 911: 906: 901: 896: 891: 886: 881: 876: 871: 866: 861: 856: 851: 845: 843: 839: 838: 831: 829: 827: 826: 824:Property types 821: 816: 811: 806: 801: 795: 793: 789: 788: 783: 781: 780: 773: 766: 758: 752: 751: 736: 711: 710:External links 708: 705: 704: 678: 650: 625: 624: 622: 619: 618: 617: 612: 603: 592: 589: 572: 571: 556: 545: 534: 531: 520: 517:Stanford White 497: 482: 467: 424: 421:Colonial style 408: 405: 384: 381: 303: 300: 251: 250: 249:April 14, 1988 247: 243: 242: 237: 230: 229: 226:Late Victorian 214: 210: 209: 203:Stanford White 184: 180: 179: 176: 172: 171: 139: 135: 134: 129: 125: 124: 108: 107: 101: 100: 99: 98: 83: 82: 76: 75: 74: 73: 72: 69: 68: 65: 57: 56: 53: 52: 47: 44: 43: 38: 35: 34: 31: 28: 27: 20: 15: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1370: 1359: 1356: 1354: 1351: 1349: 1346: 1344: 1341: 1339: 1336: 1334: 1331: 1329: 1326: 1325: 1323: 1308: 1298: 1296: 1286: 1284: 1276: 1275: 1272: 1264: 1261: 1260: 1259: 1256: 1254: 1251: 1249: 1246: 1245: 1243: 1239: 1227: 1224: 1222: 1219: 1217: 1214: 1213: 1212: 1209: 1207: 1204: 1202: 1199: 1198: 1196: 1192: 1184: 1181: 1179: 1176: 1175: 1174: 1171: 1170: 1168: 1164: 1158: 1155: 1153: 1150: 1148: 1145: 1144: 1142: 1138: 1132: 1129: 1127: 1124: 1122: 1119: 1117: 1114: 1112: 1109: 1107: 1104: 1102: 1099: 1097: 1094: 1092: 1089: 1087: 1084: 1082: 1079: 1077: 1074: 1072: 1069: 1067: 1064: 1062: 1059: 1057: 1054: 1052: 1049: 1048: 1046: 1042: 1036: 1033: 1032: 1030: 1026: 1020: 1017: 1015: 1012: 1010: 1007: 1005: 1002: 1000: 997: 995: 992: 990: 987: 986: 984: 980: 974: 971: 969: 966: 964: 961: 960: 958: 954: 948: 945: 943: 940: 939: 937: 933: 930: 928:Lists by city 926: 919: 915: 912: 910: 907: 905: 902: 900: 897: 895: 892: 890: 887: 885: 882: 880: 877: 875: 872: 870: 867: 865: 862: 860: 857: 855: 852: 850: 847: 846: 844: 840: 835: 825: 822: 820: 817: 815: 812: 810: 807: 805: 802: 800: 797: 796: 794: 790: 786: 779: 774: 772: 767: 765: 760: 759: 756: 750: 746: 743: 741: 737: 735: 731: 727: 724: 722: 718: 714: 713: 709: 701: 697: 694: 689: 687: 685: 683: 679: 675: 671: 668: 663: 661: 659: 657: 655: 651: 646: 642: 641: 636: 630: 627: 620: 616: 613: 611: 607: 604: 602: 598: 595: 594: 590: 585: 581: 576: 570:in the 1970s. 569: 565: 561: 557: 554: 550: 546: 543: 542:Charles Eliot 539: 535: 532: 529: 525: 524:Château style 521: 518: 514: 510: 509:Memorial Hall 506: 502: 498: 495: 491: 487: 483: 480: 476: 472: 468: 465: 461: 457: 453: 449: 445: 441: 440:Arthur Gilman 437: 434:residence of 433: 429: 425: 422: 418: 417: 416: 414: 406: 404: 401: 396: 394: 393:Charles River 390: 382: 380: 376: 374: 373:rhododendrons 370: 366: 362: 361:garden design 358: 357:site planning 354: 350: 347: 342: 340: 336: 332: 328: 324: 323:Thomas Welles 316: 312: 308: 301: 299: 296: 294: 290: 286: 282: 278: 277:Massachusetts 274: 270: 266: 265:Charles River 262: 258: 248: 246:Added to NRHP 244: 241: 238: 231: 227: 223: 219: 215: 211: 208: 204: 200: 196: 192: 188: 187:Arthur Gilman 185: 181: 177: 173: 168: 140: 136: 133: 130: 126: 105: 80: 70: 63: 58: 54: 50: 45: 41: 36: 29: 25: 19: 1226:southwestern 1221:northwestern 982:Essex County 739: 733: 720: 716: 638: 629: 609: 600: 486:John Sturgis 475:John Sturgis 452:conservatory 410: 397: 386: 383:Conservation 377: 371:, and Asian 349:horticulture 343: 339:philanthropy 320: 297: 263:between the 256: 254: 191:John Sturgis 178:1770 to 1891 150:71°18′30.5″W 18: 1241:Other lists 1201:Southbridge 1081:Marlborough 1035:Springfield 968:New Bedford 580:Stick style 501:Stick style 494:golf course 430:" (1851) - 346:New England 317:circa 1909. 162: / 138:Coordinates 1322:Categories 1131:Winchester 1106:Somerville 1066:Framingham 994:Gloucester 963:Fall River 942:Barnstable 849:Barnstable 621:References 369:evergreens 218:Italianate 216:Colonial, 147:42°16′48″N 1211:Worcester 1147:Brookline 1116:Wakefield 1071:Lexington 1056:Cambridge 1051:Arlington 914:Worcester 894:Nantucket 889:Middlesex 884:Hampshire 854:Berkshire 460:Minutemen 355:, estate 295:in 1988. 285:Hunnewell 269:Wellesley 183:Architect 1283:Category 1206:Uxbridge 1183:southern 1178:northern 1111:Stoneham 1101:Sherborn 1004:Lawrence 918:northern 904:Plymouth 874:Franklin 745:Archived 726:Archived 696:Archived 670:Archived 591:See also 240:88000438 128:Location 1248:Bridges 1216:eastern 1121:Waltham 1096:Reading 1086:Medford 1061:Concord 1014:Methuen 999:Ipswich 989:Andover 973:Taunton 947:Harwich 909:Suffolk 899:Norfolk 879:Hampden 859:Bristol 513:Harvard 462:to the 448:Pinetum 444:topiary 311:Topiary 302:History 1263:Boston 1173:Boston 1157:Quincy 1152:Milton 1126:Weston 1091:Newton 1076:Lowell 792:Topics 289:Welles 281:estate 273:Natick 259:is an 1019:Salem 869:Essex 864:Dukes 578:1875 175:Built 1009:Lynn 359:and 287:and 271:and 255:The 511:at 235:No. 1324:: 732:— 681:^ 653:^ 643:. 637:. 608:- 599:- 375:. 275:, 224:, 220:, 205:; 201:; 197:; 193:; 189:; 920:) 916:( 777:e 770:t 763:v 723:" 586:. 481:. 426:"

Index

U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district

Hunnewell Estates Historic District is located in Massachusetts
Hunnewell Estates Historic District is located in the United States
Wellesley, Massachusetts
42°16′48″N 71°18′30.5″W / 42.28000°N 71.308472°W / 42.28000; -71.308472
Arthur Gilman
John Sturgis
Gridley J.F. Bryant
Ware & Van Brunt
Stanford White
Shaw & Hunnewell
Italianate
Colonial Revival
Late Victorian
88000438
historic district
Charles River
Wellesley
Natick
Massachusetts
estate
Hunnewell
Welles
National Register of Historic Places

Topiary
H.H. Hunnewell estate
Thomas Welles

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