FROM THE CHAIR
This issue offers you a wonderful sampling of Historic New England. Preview the recent improvements at Quincy House in Quincy, Massachusetts, that are part of a three-year interior restoration project. Learn about the painstaking re-creation of the original roof at Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, Connecticut, made possible through our Preservation Maintenance Fund. Discover the stories of African Americans who worked two hundred years ago at Casey Farm in Saunderstown, Rhode Island. Study the collection of architectural drawings and a photograph that documents a fashionable Victorian house, and view some of the many cultural landscapes in private ownership that are protected from development through Historic New England’s Stewardship Easement Program. More people than ever are visiting our historic properties, participating in our programs and events, and accessing resources and collections through our website. Membership is at its highest level in our 104-year history. Much of what we offer to the public engages families and young audiences, including school and youth programs across the region that serve more than 45,500 children each year. Our lively and creative programs are capturing the imaginations of the young and educating the preservationists of the future. Thank you for your membership and your support of Historic New England.
Historic N E W E NG L A N D Summer 2014 Vol. 15, No. 1
Eliza Susan’s World 8
Family Values 14
1
EVERYONE’S HISTORY
Hooray for the Quincy Cats! LAND SCAPES
2
KID S MATTER
4
Preserving Historic Landscapes Sunshine, Fun, and Learning 13
MAKING LEAR NING FUN
Understanding Change
FROM THE AR CHIVES
18
Rediscovering a House on Montana Street 21
YOUR SUPPORT AT WOR K
—Roger T. Servison, Chair
Better Care, More Space, and More Accessibility PR ESERVATION MAINTENANCE
Details Matter
Historic New England 141 Cambridge Street Boston MA 02114-2702 617-227-3956 HISTORIC NEW ENGLAND magazine is a benefit of membership. To become a member, visit our website, HistoricNewEngland.org, or call 617-994-5910. Comments? Please call Kris Bierfelt, editor. Historic New England is funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Executive Editor: Diane Viera Editor: Kris Bierfelt Editorial Review Team: Nancy Carlisle, Senior Curator of Collections; Lorna Condon, Senior Curator of Library and Archives; Jennifer Pustz, Museum Historian; Sally Zimmerman, Senior Preservation Services Manager Design: DeFrancis Carbone COVER
PROG R AM HIG HLIG HT
Medicinal Herbs
22
24
HOUSE STORY 26
What’s in a Name? SPOTLIG HT
28
The Fanlight: Delicacy and Light YESTER DAY’S HISTORY
30
Orchard Walls, “Lost Days,” and Elections ACQUISITIONS
34
A New Haven Back Yard
View of the newly re-created entry hall at Quincy House. © 2014 Historic New England. Except where noted, all historic photographs and ephemera are from Historic New England’s Library and Archives.