Alexander Rice Esty

Alexander Rice Esty (1826-1881) was an American architect. He was born in Framingham and attended school at the Framingham academy on the town centre. Among other things, he designed the Moses Ellis house/building, home of the Summit Montessori school. He is buried in the Edgell Grove cemetery.

Moses Ellis house

Unfinished digital drawing/painting of the Moses Ellis house.

The Moses Ellis house is located at 283 Pleasant Street in Framingham. Moses Ellis had this Italianate style house built circa 1865 on land previously owned by William Buckminster. It was designed by none other than famed local architect Alexander Rice Esty. It is now the home of the Summit Montessori School.

Moses Ellis made his fortune back in San Francisco as a merchant during the Gold Rush.

Pike-Haven house

The Pike-Haven house sits at the corner of Belknap Rd and Grove St and marks the beginning of what is known as Pike Row (Belknap Rd to Brook St via Edgell Road). It is the only still standing house in Framingham that predates the incorporation of Framingham as a town. Jeremiah Pike built the house ca 1697 and his direct descendants (son, grandson, and great grandson) including Gideon Haven lived there, hence the name Pike-Haven for the house.

71 Harrington Rd, Framingham, MA

At 71 Harrington Rd, sits a federal style house made rather imposing by its four massive corner chimneys that seem to soar toward the sky. It was built circa 1810 on land that belonged to Jonas Eaton (1680-1727). The house was featured on the 2016 Framingham house tour. Apparently, the front of the house became the back and vice-versa when the railroad was built and the road had to be re-directed.

Sketch/drawing of the Eaton house at 71 Harrington Rd, Framingham, MA (from a photo by Lynne Damianos published in the 2016 Framingham house tour booklet).

Now, if you go to the other end of Harrington Rd toward Edgell Rd, there's a house with a similar facade except that it's all brick. That's the John Eaton Jr. house which was also built circa 1810.

John Eaton Jr. house at the Harrington Rd/Edgell Rd intersection.

Crispus Attucks

Crispus Attucks (c.1723—March 5, 1770) was the first casualty of the Boston massacre, in Boston, Massachusetts, and is widely considered to be the first American casualty in the American Revolutionary War. Attucks appears to have been born in Framingham, Massachusetts. This is verbatim from Crispus Attucks.

The article says that Attucks "appears" to have been born in Framingham. There's an ongoing debate on where he actually was born. Was it Framingham or Natick (Attucks's mom was a Natick praying Indian)? Hard to tell until someone figures out where his family actually lived and where the boundary lines between the two towns were back then. Not that it matters much though.

Charles Russell Train

Charles Train was born in Framingham in 1817. He was a lawyer by trade but he also served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. His house in Framingham (built in 1836) was located at 125 Edgell Road. He was good buddy with General George Gordon, a fellow Civil War veteran and lawyer.

Sketch of Charles Russell Train from a bust by Perry exhibited at the Framingham History Center.

Sketch of Charles Russell Train from a photograph in the Brady-Handy Photograph Collection.

General George Henry Gordon

I think we all know that George Henry Gordon was a Union Army general during the Civil War and that he fought at Antietam. After the war though, he went back to being a lawyer in Boston and wrote a few history books about the Civil War. He and his family lived at 936 Central Street, Framingham in a house built in 1850.

If you want to know a lot more about general Gordon, reading "Framingham's Civil War Hero:: The Life of General George H. Gordon (Civil War Series)" by Fred Wallace is probably a good first step.

Cartoonish representation of General George Henry Gordon after Daniel Chester French.

Lloyd's Diner

Lloyd's diner, formerly Whit's Diner in Orange, Massachusetts, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 2003. It is one of the many diners built by the Worcester Lunch Car Company in operation from 1906 to 1957. This diner was built in 1942 and stationed in Orange, MA until 1990 when it was purchased by the Llloyds and moved to Framingham (where it sits today). Watch out for the hours of operation as it's only opened on week-ends and in the morning. At one point, Lloyd's diner was called the Tropical Cafe but that didn't last too long.

65 Gates Street, Framingham, MA

The house at 65 Gates Street in Framingham.

This very house was the home of husband and wife William Hartley Dennett and Mary Ware Dennett. Hartley Dennett was an architect and they were both avid followers of the Arts and Crafts movement. She divorced her husband Hartley in 1912 and that caused quite a ruckus in New Englad. Mary Ware Dennett was very involved in social causes, in particular, the woman suffrage movement and birth control (She wrote a book called "The Sex Side of Life".)

What's singular about this house is of course the four-storied square tower which Hartley had built. I can only assume this was an addition to an existing farmhouse.

Portrait of Mary Ware Dennett.

Framingham Old Academy

The Framingham Old Academy at Framingham Centre.

This building has been leased from the town by the Framingham Historical Society (oops, Framingham History Center) since 1916. The Old Academy was built by Dexter and Adam Hemenway to house the Framingham Academy in 1837 right on the site of the previous Academy (a brick building). From 1851 to 1915, the building served as a high school for the town of Framingham. In 1915, school activities were moved to the Jonathan Maynard building, right next door.

Old Firehouse on Hollis Street

The old Downtown Framingham firehouse at 160 Hollis Street.

The firehouse was completed in 1896. Like many fire stations of that era, it features a high drying tower where the hoses were hung to dry after each mission. It now houses the Amazing Things Art Center. I believe this historic building was kind of left hanging when a new fire station was getting built for bigger and better trucks, so it's a good thing the old brick Hollis fire station was re-purposed to house Amazing Things (AT).

Alice Pearmain's "Four Winds"

"Igor's Mansion" aka "The Four Winds", the house that Alice Pearmain built on the side of the mountain.

This concrete house was built on the side of Nobscot mountain at the turn of the 20th century by Alice Upton Pearmain. It was demolished so don't go looking for it.

Alice Pearmain went to school at Wellesley college (class of 1883). Back then, she was known as Alice Upton. In 1886, she became Alice Pearmain as she married Sumner Pearmain of Boston, a banker and broker. Alice was the mother of four children. Her oldest son, William Robert Pearmain, was a painter. Apparently, he was good buddy with George de Forest Brush.

The house was designed by Alice Pearmain herself and built by Benj. A. Howes, Engineer.

Blueprints of Alice Pearman's house in Framingham. From "Concrete country residences" By "Atlas Portland Cement Company".

Ad for Benjamin Howes featuring the Pearmain house in "Country Life" of September 1908.

Short biographies for the Pearmains in "Who's who in America", Volume 11, 1920-21.

In the above article, we learn that "Four Winds" was located on Wayside Inn Road and that it was inhabited, at least, part-time. That concrete house was featured in architectural magazines as some kind of wonder of the modern world. Surely, somebody out there knows the why of its demise. Concrete houses are fairly common in old Europe but failed to catch on in the US, probably because wood is widely available, easy to work on, and quite cheap. Here, it seems that they (the designer and builder) might have a gone a tad overboard and used a little bit too much of the concrete.

150 Singletary Lane, Framingham, MA

Impasto style rendering of the house at 150 Singletary Lane, Framingham, MA.

Watercolor style rendering of the house at 150 Singletary Lane, Framingham, MA.

The house at 150 Singletary Lane is a glorious Georgian style house reminiscent of George Washington's Mount Vernon. Well, it is the house that Dr. Eugene Gaston built for his family back in 1942. There is a piece of granite with his name engraved on it at the entrance of the driveway to confirm it.

Dr. Eugene Gaston was a staff surgeon at the Framingham hospital for 49 years. He was also an associate clinical professor of surgery at Boston University School of Medicine. He wrote numerous articles in medical journals about the digestive system. He was born in Peoria, Illinois, was raised in Kansas and attended the University of Kansas for three years before entering Harvard Medical School. As a side note, he was at one point the medical columnist for the magazine "Bicycling", so one can safely assume that he was an avid bicyclist.

Henry Hobson Richardson

Henry Hobson Richardson is known for two things: the Trinity Church in Boston and the railway station in Framingham. Nah, just kidding, he's part of the holy trinity of American architects with Louis Sullivan and Frank LLoyd Wright, so he's a really big deal. Even though the train station in Framingham doesn't really come up at the top of the charts when listing Richardson's achievements, it is fair to say that it is an important building in American architecture. It was built in 1883 (Richardson died in 1886) for the Boston & Albany railroad company. Until recently, it was kind left to its own demises. Now, it's the home of the Deluxe Station Diner where you can get excellent pancakes in a rather interesting steampunk inspired decor. By the way, good on them for finally getting rid of those green and white awnings.

What's striking about the Framingham train station is the wide hip roof and the extended eaves, probably inspired from Japanese architecture. The main dormer also displays the Syrian arch, a trait found in many of his other buildings. Whether he liked to design train stations or that's where the money was (I suspect the latter), Richardson built a bunch of those train depots for the B&A (Boston & Albany railroad) and, as you would imagine, they all look kinda similar but so different at the same time.

For more info on Henry Hobson Richardson, it would be best to consult Henry Hobson Richardson on Wikipedia.

South Framingham railway station designed by Henry Hobson Richardson.

Henry Hobson Richardson (from portrait by Sir Hubert von Herkomer exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.)

Raceland (2)

This post is a follow-up to Raceland. Raceland is somewhat fascinating because it's a bit hard to imagine that there was once a place in Framingham (not too far from Stop and Shop on Temple Street) where people would flock en masse to witness thoroughbred horse races. It kinda blows the mind a little bit. It did really happen though as the following scans from the Boston Public Library photostream on Flickr attest. The pictures were taken by Boston photographer Leslie Jones.

This is a picture of Petee-wrack, John Macomber's most famous race horse. The picture was taken in 1928 or 29, which means that we are seeing the stables before the 1930 fire. Copyright © Leslie Jones. Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

Here's a nice view of the stables before the fire. Copyright © Leslie Jones. Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

The steeplechase racetrack at Raceland with the stables in the background (pre fire). Copyright © Leslie Jones. Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

This is John Macomber himself with his two dogs. The picture is dated 1931-05. Copyright © Leslie Jones. Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

These are the "new" stables built this time out of brick. The picture is dated 1932-06-18. Copyright © Leslie Jones. Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

A nice front view of the "new" stables (that building is of course still standing inside the Macomber Farm compound but the racetracks and the people are gone.) The picture is dated 1932-06-18. Copyright © Leslie Jones. Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

Another view of the race track at Raceland. The picture is dated 1932-06-18. Copyright © Leslie Jones. Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

Of course, John Macomber didn't live in the stables with the horses. The stables were attached to the house where John Macomber actually lived (with his beloved dogs). It has been said that John Macomber would sometimes bring a horse from the stables to his living room to show his guests.

The following scans come from the Framingham Public Library Local History photostream on flickr. I hope it's ok for me to put these up here (If it's not, I'll remove them.)

This is the house part of the "new" stables (view from the back).

This looks like the living room of the living quarters at Raceland. I think John Macomber might have been obsessed by thoroughbreds.

This is the same room but viewed from the opposite side.

Reading Susan Gordon in "The Man in the Net", it seems that Raceland was used in the movie "The Man in the Net" with Alan Ladd and Carolyn Jones. Now, I've just watched the whole movie (which happens to be quite enjoyable) and I really saw no evidence of this. Maybe interior or great outdoors shots? All I know is that you certainly don't see the stables in the movie.

Ezra Ames

Ezra Ames (1768–1836) was a rather noted and prolific portrait painter active mostly in the beginning of the 19th century in Albany, NY. He was not originally a so-called fine artist (His early painting works involved signs, carriages and furniture, probably gilding and lettering.) but he did become one. At some point, he probably figured out that there was a good market for portrait painting and took it on. It is said that portraitist Gilbert Stuart was his inspiration. His most famous portrait is probably the one of once New York State Governor, George Clinton. Another notable Ames' work is a multi-figured portrait of the Fondey family.

The Fondey family, Ezra Ames, 1803.

He wouldn't be featured in this blog unless there was a connection with Framingham. Well, there is one, a quite obvious one. He was born in Framingham. His parents were Jesse Eames (Why is Ezra Ames not known as Ezra Eames is a bit puzzling.) and Bette Bent (1743-1776). Eames is of course a very famous name in Framingham, especially in South Framingham. Ezra's dad, Jesse Eames (1739-1829), was a dentist right here in Framingham but also a captain in the Army (during the revolutionary war). Jesse remarried in 1777 in Sturbridge, MA to a Dorothy Brown of Sturbridge. He had six kids with Bette and another three with Dorothy. At some point (not sure when but definitely after 1790, they year of the census), he moved to Staatsburg, NY. For the record, Jesse's parents were Henry Eames and Ruth Newton while Bette's parents were John Bent and Elizabeth Reed.

In 1790, Ezra Ames was living in Worcester, MA. In 1793, he settled in Albany, NY, and really made a huge name for himself in portrait painting. He started doing conventional oil portraits in 1792 but was actively painting miniature portraits (miniatures) before that.

Now, a good question to ask is where the young Ezra lived in Framingham. Well, I have no idea quite yet but a good guess would be the famous Eames red house, which started its life in 1721. Let's examine this a bit further since I did write about the house (some time ago though). The Eames red house was built by Henry Eames, grand-son of Thomas Eames whose family was massacred during King Philip's war and father of Jesse Eames, Ezra's very own dad. It looks like the house went to Henry Eames (1725-1772), Jesse's older brother, so I doubt Jesse Eames and Bette Bent lived there. Thanks to [EAMES] Cpt. Jesse Eames of Dutchess County NY 1829 which shows the lineage of Captain Jesse Eames, one learns that Bette Eames, the first child of Jesse and Dorothy (nice to see she was named after his first wife), was born on 12 Oct 1778 in East Sudbury, MA (now, Wayland). We also know from other sources that Bette Bent, Jesse's first wife, died in 1776, but the important thing is that she died in Framingham. I am no Sherlock Holmes but it's relatively safe to say that Ezra Ames lived in Framingham from his birth to his mom's death, that is, from 1768 to 1776. Once Jesse married again, the family moved to Wayland, MA. If you, faithful reader, have an idea where Ezra lived in Framingham, give me a sign because I'd like to know.

Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller

I remember seeing an exhibition about her at the Danforth museum, and I think it may be a good idea to talk a little bit about her.

Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller (1877-1968) was primarily a sculptor. She's now regarded as a precursor of the Harlem Renaissance movement.

Meta was born in Philadelphia in 1877. After graduating from the "Pennsylvania Museum and School for Industrial Art" in 1897, she went abroad to further her studies and craft. She stayed in Paris for a while (1899-1902) where her mentor was no other than the great Auguste Rodin. Apparently, she was not a student of his but he kinda kept an helpful eye on her, being quite enamored by her works. She came back to Philadelphia, her home city, to open her own studio. In 1909, she married Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller (born in Liberia), a noted neurologist and psychiatrist, and that's how she ended up in Framingham (At the time, the good doctor actually lived at the Westborough Hospital.) In 1910, Meta lost 16 years of work (and her tools) when a fire destroyed the warehouse that housed all her art stuff in Philly (16 years of work). That (material) tragedy put her art career on hold for a while although I am sure her family life at home kept her quite busy. It took about three years for Meta to produce more art. "Spirit of Emancipation" is the piece that brought her back to the art scene (1913). This sculpture can be seen in Harriet Tubman Park in the South End. Up until 1929, she had set up space in the attic of the family home. Upon growing concerns (from her own husband) that the space was not adequate health-wise, she opened a new studio on the shore of Learned Pond, at 135 Warren Road, not too far from the couple's house (and their three children) located at 31 Warren Road. She contracted tuberculosis in 1953, the year her husband died, but recovered after two years of confinement in a sanatorium in Waltham.

She was named after the daughter of Senator Richard Vaux (Meta Vaux), a customer of her mom who owned a hair-dressing parlor. In the 1960s, she sculpted a bronze plaque depicting a doctor and two nurses which is supposed to be at the Framingham Union Hospital (It should still be there.)

The Fuller house (Solomon Carter Fuller and Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller) at 31 Warren Rd, Framingham, MA. Well, it's the right address but I would like to have confirmation that it's the right house. According to Zillow (Framingham), it was built in 1909, which is right on the money.

135 Warren Rd where Meta's studio was supposed to be. According to Zillow, the house on that plot was built in 1930, so that must be it.

A little bit closer to the building at 135 Warren Rd. Looks like a Tudor style house.

Aerial view of the area around 135 Warren Rd. Meta's old studio should be right below the marker.

If you want to learn a lot more about Meta, I suggest reading the Meta Fuller catalog (1984-85) from an exhibition at Danforth during the 1984-85 season. The exhibition I saw at Danforth was in 2008-09 (It was called "Meta Warrick Fuller, Sculptures from the studio".)

If you have info, photos, stories, etc, concerning Meta Warrick Fuller, I would love to see them and I'd be more happy to publish them here (If you let me do so.)

First Baptist Church

HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDINGS SURVEY

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH AND CARRIAGE SHED

Location: Framingham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Significance: Built in 1826, the First Baptist Church continues to serve its congregation, and so, ranks as Framingham's oldest extant, operating church. The First Baptist Church is the only religious structure associated with the Boston architect, Solomon Willard.

Description: A wood building, the First Baptist Church sits on a granite foundation under a pitch roof. The east end foundation is hammered granite; the west rests on squared granite rubble. The front facade is made of matched boarding, while the north, south, and west sides are clapboard. Wrapping around the structure is a frieze and modillioned cornice. The church is two stories tall.

The front facade, approached by two granite steps leading up to a portico, is symmetrical. The portico is in the Ionic order and has paired columns at the corners. Matching the paired columns are four pairs of Ionic pilasters against the facade, two pairs answering the portico columns and the other pairs at each corner-end of the main block. The pilasters support an entablature and pediment. A semi-elliptical fanlight pierces the portico pediment. The east (front) facade is three bays. The first floor is a triple entrance; the center entry is emphasized by an elliptical arch stretching over a fanlight and sidelights. The two smaller doors have semi-circular arches with fanlights inside. All three doors are paneled. Above the central entrance is a serliana, or Palladian window, framed by pilasters. The window pilasters support a frieze. Two windows with semi-circular arched heads flank the serliana, mimicking the scale of the first floor fenestration.

The north and south sides are each six bays deep. The first and second stories are delineated by six windows on each level, that are primarily six-over-six sash. Some twelve-over-twelve sash exists in the gallery, or second story, level. Three windows (eight-over-eight light) illuminate the basement; these are on each side and located near the west end of the building. The south side also has an entry porch for access into the basement.

The west (rear) facade has two windows, at basement, ground, and gallery levels. The gable resembles a pediment, shaped by a raking modillioned cornice. A semi-elliptical fanlight is centered in the pediment, corresponding to the fanlight in the front facade. In 1856, the west end foundation was enclosed; a wing was added in 1886. This addition has a central entrance, covered by a bracketed hood. Two windows of two-over-two lights flank this entry. Above these openings are three more windows, also two-over-two sash.

A four stage tower rises up from the church; this tower tapers into an octagon spire. The base, or first stage, is square and presents a serliana on its east face. The serliana is trimmed with a cornice much like that on the main block. The second stage is also square in plan. This level acts as a belfry. Each side has a single arched opening complete with architrave, keystone, and fixed blinds. At the corners are Doric pilasters rising into an undecorated entablature. The third stage assumes an octagon shape; this level is a lantern. Doric pilasters frame each side; within the pilasters is an arched opening with a fixed blind. The fourth level replicates the third, only it is on a smaller scale. The 19'7" steeple rises above the fourth stage. A Banneret weathervane caps the spire. An arrow, scrolls, and the sun comprise the weathervane tail.

In plan, the First Baptist Church reflects traditional ecclesiastical planning, rather the eighteenth-century meeting house arrangement. The triple entrance in the east gable end is indicative of this kind of plan. Inside, the pews are arranged in a semi-circle around the pulpit. In the pulpit area is the baptismal vessel. In 1856-57, the box pews were removed and the sanctuary floor raised.

In addition to exterior changes in the west end, a slate roof was installed in 1910. Moreover, the tower railings decayed and blew away. The carriage sheds, that rivaled those of the Unitarian Meeting House in scale, were demolished.

History: In 1762, the Baptist Society organized themselves and gathered in a meeting house on Park's Corner. Later, the Society decided to replace their small church with a larger edifice in 1825. The congregation chose a site prominently located on the Boston-Worcester Turnpike (Route 9). The cornerstone was laid on November 17, 1825, with much fanfare. The ceremony included masonic rites. The Baptist Society pastor, Reverend Charles Train, oversaw the Society's move into that new building, named the First Baptist Church, in 1826. The dedication ceremony took place on January 1, 1827.

The First Baptist Church faces the Boston-Worcester Turnpike. It watched as the turnpike brought commercial development to Framingham Centre, growing until 1843. At that time, the Turnpike Corporation dissolved. The railroads by-passed Framingham Centre by 1853, leaving it as an enclave of federal period structures.

Solomon Willard, an architect from Boston, designed the church. Willard's architecture is associated with craftsman/architect Asher Benjamin, also of Boston. Willard either studied with Benjamin directly or learned through his architectural handbooks. Benjamin's influence surfaces in the Baptist church's architectural details common in federal period (1776-1830) designs. The First Baptist Church represents the federal period's neo-classical bent, especially in its facade. Willard's woodworking skills made his reputation; he is known as a cabinet maker and carpenter as well as an early American architect. To his credit, Willard designed the Bunker Hill Monument. Master builder, Colonel Harrington, raised the structure per Willard's plan.

Sources: "Historic Buildings of Massachusetts", edited by John C. Poppeliers. Scribner Historic Building Series. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1976. Photographic catalogue of historic buildings, built primarily during the colonial and federal periods.

Inventory Form, Massachusetts Historical Commission, October 1979; updated February, 1983, and December 1983.

Pfeiffer, Brian, "National Register Nomination Form: First Baptist Church", National Register for Historic Places, National Park Service, 1979.


1. Historic American Buildings Survey Frank O. Branzetti, Photographer Dec. 19, 1940 (a) EXT.- FRONT ELEVATION, LOOKING WEST
HABS MASS,9-FRAM,5-1


2. Historic American Buildings Survey Frank O. Branzetti, Photographer Dec. 19, 1940 (b) EXT.- REAR & SIDE ELEVATIONS, LOOKING NORTHEAST
HABS MASS,9-FRAM,5-2


3. Historic American Buildings Survey Frank O. Branzetti, Photographer Dec. 19, 1940 (c) EXT.- CARRIAGE SHED, LOOKING NORTHWEST
HABS MASS,9-FRAM,5-3

Many thanks to the Library of Congress.

Boston and Albany Railroad Station

HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDINGS SURVEY

BOSTON AND ALBANY RAILROAD STATION

Location: Framingham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Present Owner and Occupant: Boston and Albany Railroad, South Station, Boston, Massachusetts

Present Use: Railroad station

Brief Statement of Significance: Commissioned in October 1883, this is one of a series of stations designed by H. H. Richardson for the Boston and Albany Railroad. Henry Russell Hitchcock, Jr., in "The Architecture of H. H. Richardson and His Times" has described this station as a "better and somewhat more personal work."

PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION

A. Physical History:

1. Original and subsequent owners: Boston and Albany Railroad.

2. Date of erection: Commissioned in October 1883.

3. Architect: Henry Hobson Richardson.

4. Source of Information: Henry Russell Hitchcock, Jr., "The Architecture of H. H. Richardson and His Times" (New York: The Museum of Modem Art, 1936), pages 225, 255.

B. Likely Sources Not Yet Investigated: Boston and Albany Railroad archives, South Station, Boston, Massachusetts.

PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION

A. General Statement:

1. Architectural character: This is a medium-sized, one-story station with several features characteristic of Richardson's work, including the heavy masonry, dominant roof, dormers, exposed interior framing, and interior finish.

2. Condition of fabric: Good.

B. Technical Description of Exterior:

1. Layout and orientation: This is a long, rectangular building, one story high. The long axis of the building runs east-west, with the street entrance on the south and the platform on the north.

2. Foundations: Masonry.

3. Wall construction: Rough-faced, random ashlar masonry of gray and red squared granite.

4. Porches: The overhanging eave on the north platform side of the building continues beyond the ends, supported on wood posts, as a porch sheltering the platform.

5. Openings: Door and window openings are finished with rough-faced red stone, mostly with flat stone lintels. The wood doors, some lighted, are paneled with wide panels the full width of the door. The window pattern is arranged in single, double, or triple groups of a three-window unit consisting of a nearly square window, over a similar one, over a taller, double-hung window of the same width.

6. Roof:

a. Shape, covering: Hip roof covered with slate.

b. Eaves: The eaves project on all sides to cover the platform and entrance. They are supported by brackets on the south front and by wood posts on the north platform side.

c. Dormers: On either facade there are three large, wide dormers, which function as a clerestory.

7. Chimneys: One chimney of rough-faced, random ashlar masonry projects through the central dormer of the south front.

C. Technical Description of Interiors:

1. Floor plans: Large central waiting room, dominated on the south side by a central fireplace, and, opposite from this, a ticket office which extends into the room, with ends splayed back to the wall, and with a rounded glazed bay projecting onto the platform at the center.

2. Flooring: Narrow boarding.

3. Wall and ceiling finish: Walls sheathed with narrow, vertical, molded boarding, painted; ceiling of exposed truss construction, with wood trusses with beaded edges; ceiling of exposed joists and narrow matched boards.

4. Doorways and doors: Wood doors of horizontal sunk panels. Simple mitered architraves.

5. Trim: Molded wood trim.

6. Hardware: Modern knobs and butt hinges on doors.

7. Lighting: Modern electrical fixtures.

8. Heating: Central heating with five circular radiators in the waiting room.

D. Site: Urban situation between tracks and street.

Prepared by Abbott L. Cummings, Assistant Director
Society for the preservation of New England Antiquities
Boston, Massachusetts - January 1960


1. Historic American Buildings Survey Cervin Robinson, Photographer June 1959 SOUTH ELEVATION
HABS MASS,9-FRAM,10-1


2. Historic American Buildings Survey Cervin Robinson, Photographer June 1959 NORTH ELEVATION
HABS MASS,9-FRAM,10-2


3. Historic American Buildings Survey Cervin Robinson, Photographer November 1959 EXTERIOR OF TICKET BOOTH BAY WINDOW ON NORTH ELEVATION
HABS MASS,9-FRAM,10-3


4. Historic American Buildings Survey Cervin Robinson, Photographer June 1959 EAST INTERIOR ELEVATION
HABS MASS,9-FRAM,10-4


5. Historic American Buildings Survey Cervin Robinson, Photographer June 1959 FIREPLACE ON SOUTH INTERIOR ELEVATION
HABS MASS,9-FRAM,10-5

Many thanks to the Library of Congress.

Eames Red House

The Eames name is pretty much synonym of South Framingham (Downtown Framingham). At one point, the Eames family owned pretty much all of it. Thomas Eames, whose family was massacred by the Indians during King Philip's war in 1676, somehow managed to obtain the land (from the Natick Indians) as compensation for his losses.

The so-called Eames Red House was built in 1721 by Henry Eames (grandson of Thomas) at a location where Eames Square (Lincoln Street and Union Avenue) is now. In 1754, Henry's son (also named Henry) enlarged the house. Abel Eames, another descendant of Thomas Eames, married one of the two grand-daughters of Henry Eames (the second) and added another addition to the house in 1810, making it a rather long building.

In 1969, the Eames Red House was moved to Prospect Street where it still stands today.


The Eames Red House ca 1870 when it used to be along Union Avenue. Thanks to Images of America: Framingham.

The Eames Red House is along Prospect Street since 1969, the year it was moved from Union Avenue. Thanks to googlemaps.