Stonehurst
Robert Treat Paine Estate
Stonehurst, also known as the Robert Treat Paine Estate, is a historic country estate of 109 acres located in Waltham, Massachusetts. It was designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, known for designing The Boston Common and the Emerald Necklace. The estate was built between 1886 and 1888 for Robert Treat Paine Jr., a Boston lawyer, philanthropist, and social reformer. Paine’s Pamphlet, Common Sense promoted the idea of American exceptionalism and the need to form a new nation inspired the Declaration of Independence!
Richardsonian Romanesque Architecture
The mansion is a prime example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, characterized by its rough-hewn granite walls, rounded arches, and medieval-inspired turret. The interior features rich woodwork, stained glass windows, and intricate detailing, reflecting the opulence of the Gilded Age. Here, you can see everything from American Marble, Egyptian wood, high-quality work from Irish Stone Masons, and the expert craftsmanship of Canadian-American Master Builder and Shipwright Edward F. Miller
For Example:
Enamored by woodturners in the Cairo streets, the Paines stopped at Elias Hatoun’s newly-opened shop that featured “Arabian woodwork, inlaid work and ivory carvings.” Aided by Ali Hassan, in whom they placed “implicit trust in his integrity in purchases of antiquities,” the Paine family became one of the earliest clients of Hatoun. The company would exhibit in the 1893 and 1904 world’s fairs and would continue to sell antiques and reproductions to American collectors and museums well into the 1920s.
Becoming a Historic Landmark
In 1974, Stonehurst was designated a National Historic Landmark for its architectural significance. Today, the once-private estate of generous social justice advocates whose ancestors helped establish the democratic foundations of this country is now appropriately owned by the people of Waltham and managed by the nonprofit Friends of Stonehurst. It is open to the public for guided tours and special events, offering a glimpse into the life of the Gilded Age elite and the architectural genius of Richardson and Olmsted whose work continues to inspire culturally and environmentally sensitive design.
These Days with Devon at Stonehurst
Enjoying Historic Woodlands
These Days with Devon at Stonehurst. This idyllic country estate is one of Devon’s favorite places. She enjoys walking around the site of the former tennis courts and hiking the historic woodland trails that wind through over 130 acres of the Robert Treat Paine Estate/Storer Conservation Land and connect to the Western Greenway. She loves exploring there with her son, family, and friends! It’s great for dog walking too, which of course appeals to Dev and her little LuLu. If you’d like to take your special pooch, they just ask you keep your doggie on a leash, even in the parking lot, unless you are in the field out front (Waltham Dog Patrol is always on site!). People say:
"Our favorite place to walk, easy to forget you're in the city, happy dog place"
"Stunning location to let the dogs run off leash and chase balls!"
Devon agrees!
A Naturalistic Approach to Landscape Design
Experience Olmsted's naturalistic approach to landscape design on the rolling, meadows, curved terrace and rocky outcrops of the estate grounds. Dev has even taken her son, Henry sledding there in the winter and admired the gardens in Spring, now in full bloom! The extensive grounds are superb, and worth a stroll.
Exploring Stonehurst
And speaking of strolling, Dev tells us that if you go down near the Lyman Estate, (the other gorgeous local and stunning historic estate only five minutes from Stonehurst) you can find the old historic tree with various carvings from over the years.
Kids love to explore Stonehurst, finding little surprises all over the wooded estate! Bring your own chess board & pieces and find these logs carved into benches. This is the best time of year to go salamander hunting (but watch out for mud!), exploring the rock sculptures and tree forts, and more to keep building your own adventure at Stonehurst!
IMAGE: r/Michael _ Scarn _ 21
Transporting Back in Time…
We find ourselves in the 19th century, where the Paine children, along with their 17 cousins, resided in Waltham. George Paine was 12 years old, and Lily was 10 when Stonehurst was erected in 1886. We often ponder, what did children do for entertainment before the advent of the telephone, television, and computer? For those living at Stonehurst, the answer lay in the vast acres of land to explore and imagine, trees perfect for climbing, flowers to gather, books to devour, and the delight of being chauffeured around in a horse-drawn carriage. Every whim was catered to, making their childhood an enchanting one.
In their dreams, the children reminisced about the grandeur of the rooms, with their wide doorways, soaring ceilings, and imposing fireplaces. As the day drew to a close, the family would gather to play backgammon, chess, dominoes, and whist.
Even today, the magic of exploring and experiencing this historic home continues to captivate. We extend our gratitude to Devon and her discerning eye for all things splendid and historical, reminding us that history is not just a thing of the past but an ever-present part of our lives, waiting to be rediscovered just outside our door.