A Virtual Visit

West Elevation

George Paine remembered when this summer house was “raised up on railroad ties and slowly, very slowly, moved up the slope to where it now stands with the fine stone addition by Henry Hobson Richardson.” Can you find this house in the new spot?

South Elevation

Natural Materials

In designing Stonehurst, Richardson and Olmsted chose materials, shapes and colors that would blend with the New England landscape. Can you name some?

White Pine Tree

Architect H.H. Richardson built the stone house in 1886. Do you think the huge evergreen tree is older or younger than the house?

Sundial

Sundials keep time by the sun. The Latin phrase translates to “I do not count the hours unless they are bright.” What does this mean? Can you think of another meaning?

Terrace

The Paine family used the terrace and porch as an outdoor play space. Imagine a time with no electricity, no telephones, no television and no computers. What would you do for fun?

Terrace Stone Walls

Where do you suppose Mr. Paine found the stone for his house and terrace?

Glacier Rock

Mr. Paine admired this rock because it was shaped by the great glaciers (huge masses of ice) that once covered New England. Do you see evidence of the glaciers that scraped and shaped the rock?

East Elevation

The Arch

Imagine yourself sitting on the bench inside The Arch. Would it be lighter or darker? Warmer or cooler? Does it remind you of a natural feature found in nature?

North Elevation

Visitors arriving by horse-drawn carriage were dropped off at this entrance with its friendly guard on the porch. What is the unusual object shown in the last photo below?