Historic Homes of New EnglandNorthend, Mary Harrod
History
Historic Homes of New England
Northend, Mary Harrod
Architecture, Colonial; Historic buildings -- New England
Here we find many of the works of the great masters: the simple,
dignified charm of Chippendale gives way to the more elaborate and
delicate pieces of Hepplewhite and Sheraton, leading us on to the Adams
period, and ending with the Empire. Examples of all these are seldom
found under the same roof, and to the student of the antique, such a
collection is far more instructive than pictured examples in books.
Much of this old furniture was brought from over the seas about 1800, at
a time when colonial homes were in vogue. Others came with the earliest
settlers. These pieces, however, are rare, for the ships of that day had
but limited capacity, fitted to bring only the bare necessities to
furnish a home. Many of them were rare and unusual bits, and connected
with them are stories of the past, which carry us back to the early
struggles for existence in an untried land.
[Illustration: PLATE LVII.--The Savory House, Groveland, Mass.]
The Peter Parker, or Savory house was built early in the eighteenth
century. It is situated just back from the street, surrounded by
well-laid-out grounds and has preserved intact all its original
characteristics.
The keynote in its construction is a dignified solidity. It represents
an example of careful thought that gives to it an air of quiet elegance
which is rarely seen, even in houses of this same type. It is to be
numbered among the really few genuine old dwellings which date back to
pre-Revolutionary days,--a veritable old home, combining in
construction unusual architectural features.
The house differs much from the square houses of colonial time. It has a
wing-like projection at one side and was designed with two front doors.
This is a departure from the old-time custom of a central porch and is
not without significance, for each door has its own special use.
[Illustration: PLATE LVIII.--Porch and Gateway, Savory House.]
The main porch is in the central part of the house. It is a very
handsome entrance, well proportioned, showing a fan light over the
entrance door. It has for ornamentation a knocker of the ring type. The
second door in the ell was the family entrance. This opened upon a hall
which led to the living-room. On the opposite side of the house is a
small ell, showing domed windows and a handsomely carved entrance. At
the rear is the orchard, where can still be seen some of the fruit trees
that were planted when the house was built. The old-fashioned garden,
with its box-borders and its wealth of old-time flowers so popular in
colonial days, lies at the right of the orchard.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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