Boston Flora

Tag: Back Bay Houses

  • Fridays – Sundays, Through February 13, 10:00 am and 2:00 pm – Tours of Berlin Farms

    To celebrate the completion of a multi-year restoration, Berlin Farms is hosting a limited-time docent-guided tour of the interior of the former farmstead of Charles Edward Cotting in Berlin, MA. This agricultural landmark is local and decorated for the season. Families can avoid the crowds, keep warm and enjoy a special event. .


    Tickets at (617)710-8810 or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-farm-tour-tickets-221425097427


    Details are as follows:A festive guided tour of an historic New England farmstead and agricultural landmark. Now open to the public for a limited time! Step into an historic farmstead and relive your agricultural roots. This quintessential New England farm is now open to the public after years of restoration.
    Highlights include:  A warm and welcoming docent-guided tour • An educational and fun visit about rural life from the 18th century to present day. Enjoy “Tales of Yore” about the Starlette, the Patriot and Maxine…the cow. A collection of American and European art including period furnishings. Meet-and-greet with a rare barnyard friend. Complementary memento & hot beverages. Tours run now through February 13 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 10am and 2pm.

    There is a Back Bay connection to Charles Edward Cotting. According to Thomas High’s excellent website Back Bay Houses:

    Charles Cotting was an investment banker, a partner in the firm of Lee, Higginson and Company.  In 1922, he had purchased land in Berlin, Massachusetts, where he founded the Chedco Farm, where he established one of the first Guernsey cattle herds in America. He purchased 410 Beacon in anticipation of his upcoming marriage in June of 1926 to former stage and silent film actress Constance Binney.  After their marriage, they made 410 Beacon their Boston home and also maintained a home in Manchester.

    We include a photo of Ms. Binney because she is arguably more attractive than the cow.

  • Wednesday, May 24, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Reformed, Remodeled, Replaced, Redeemed

    Wednesday, May 24, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Reformed, Remodeled, Replaced, Redeemed

    The Back Bay is a miracle of preservation, one of the largest examples of Victorian and Edwardian residential architecture in the United States. But many people think that the neighborhood’s lovely exteriors are largely unchanged — “frozen in time” from when they were built. In fact, they began changing soon after they were built – sometimes the changes were subtle and sometimes they were made with sweeping gestures.

    Changes occurred for many reasons. A few were reformed – partially rebuilt very soon after they were built because they didn’t conform with the building restrictions in the original deeds. Others were remodeled — expanded or modified later because the owners want to have more space or a different “look.” Still others were replaced entirely to be larger or more stylish. And a fortunate few of these remodeled houses were redeemed, brought back, if not to their original glory at least to a design more consistent with the Back Bay streetscape.

    This walking tour of the eastern blocks of the Back Bay on Wednesday, May 24 begins at 5 pm, and will be led Tom High, creator of award winning www.backbayhouses.com, and by Susie Shafer, Co-Chair of the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay’s Architecture Committee, and Garden Club of the Back Bay member. They will take a look at some examples of these subtle and not-so-subtle changes.

    Please contact architecture@nabbonline.com to register for this tour. While the tour is free and open to the public, it is limited to 30 participants. Let us know your name and contact information and the number of people that will be attending. The meeting place will be confirmed at time of reservation.