Nomination for Hillside

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev.

10-74) PH0229318 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DATA SHIELL FOR NPS USE ONLY JUN 1 3 1975 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM RECEIVED DATE ENTERED BEP 1 8 1975 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS NAME HISTORIC Hillside AND/OR COMMON same 2 LOCATION STREET & NUMBER 230 Summer Street _NOT FOR PUBLICATION CITY.TOWN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Plymouth VICINITY OF 12th STATE CODE COUNTY Massachusetts 025 Plymouth CLASSIFICATION CODE 023 CATEGORY _DISTRICT XBUILDING(S) STRUCTURE _SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP PUBLIC X PRIVATE _BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION -IN PROCESS BEING CONSIDERED STATUS X OCCUPIED _UNOCCUPIED _WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE X YES: RESTRICTED - YES: UNRESTRICTED _NO PRESENT USE _AGRICULTURE _MUSEUM _COMMERCIAL _PARK -EDUCATIONAL XPRIVATE RESIDENCE _ENTERTAINMENT -RELIGIOUS _GOVERNMENT SCIENTIFIC _INDUSTRIAL -TRANSPORTATION MILITARY _OTHER: OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Christina Watson Bowler and Robert B.

Bowler STREET & NUMBER 230 Summer Street, P.O. Box 414 CITY, TOWN Plymouth - VICINITY OF 5 LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION STATE Massachusetts 02360 COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC. Plymouth County Registry of Deeds STREET & NUMBER Russell Street CITY. TOWN STATE Plymouth Massachusetts REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE _FEDERAL XSTATE -COUNTY -LOCAL DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS Massachusetts Historical Commission CITY. TOWN Boston STATE Massachusetts 7 DESCRIPTION CONDITION XEXCELLENT -GOOD -FAIR DETERIORATED -RUINS CHECK ONE _UNALTERED XALTERED CHECK ONE X_ORIGINAL SITE -MOVED DATE_ _UNEXPOSED DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

Hillside lies at the base of a natural bowl land formation, with trees, planted in the last half of the nineteenth century, growing at the edge of the large lawn which surrounds the house. The property originally encompassed approximately eighty acres, as shown in the map surveyed by Henry David Thoreau in 1854. Extensive plantings, including many native and foreign trees, covered these acres. Now only ten acres remain, but they retain their rural and pastoral aspect, and most of the trees planted as part of the Old Colony Nurseries are extant. Hillside was designed in 1845 by the amateur architect Reverend Samuel Longfellow, brother of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and built the same year by Benjamin Marston Watson, famed horticulturalist and friend of the Concord Trancendentalists.

The Gothic Cottage, which faces south, is reminiscent of the styles found in Andrew Jackson Downing's The Architecture of Country Houses. The facade has a steeply pitched cross gable covering a central pavilion which has a Tudordarched opening on each of its three sides. The ls story building, covered with clapboards, has an asphalt shingled ridge roof. A story ridge roof ell extends from the western half of the northern elevation of the house, and has a dormer on its western elevation. A 2 story hip roof addition, built in the 1890's, is attached to the l story ell, and lies directly north of the eastern half of the main part of the house. The fenestration, as with many Gothic Cottages, is irregular. The first floor windows of the whole house are topped by label molding, as is the center opening in the entrance pavilion.

The molding extending down the sides of the windows are now covered by shutters, a recent addition to the house. The second story windows of the main block and the ell have plain lintels; the second story windows of the north elevation of the hip roof addition repeat the label moldings of the first floor. A bay window, original to the house, extends from the east elevation of the first floor of the main block. The grounds around Hillside are the remains of the once extensive Old Colony Nurseries. These gardens contained plants of all kinds from all over the world, including 58 varieties of trees, and numerous vegetables and fruits, mass produced for the Boston market. Remnants of these plantings still exist on the land remaining from this extensive nursery.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD _PREHISTORIC -1400-1499 _1500-1599 -1600-1699 -1700-1799 X 1800-1899 -1900- ARCHEOLUGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC XAGRICULTURE XARCHITECTURE ART _COMMERCE _COMMUNICATIONS AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW _COMMUNITY PLANNING X LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _CONSERVATION -LAW ECONOMICS X LITERATURE EDUCATION _MILITARY -ENGINEERING _MUSIC _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT X PHILOSOPHY _INDUSTRY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT -INVENTION RELIGION SCIENCE _SCULPTURE SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _THEATER _TRANSPORTATION -OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT 1845 Rev. Samuel Longfellow STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Hillside is significant not only for its association with the internationally famous Old Colony Nurseries, but also for the close relationship between the Watsons, the original owners of the house, and the many Concord Trancendentalists who stayed there. Benjamin Marston Watson, when he graduated from Harvard in 1839, decided to return to Plymouth to take care of his mother's garden, instead of following one of the more conventional occupations. According to Edward Everett Hale, he established "such a nursery garden as New England had never known until that time." This nursery was a tremendous success, acquiring a national and international reputation. Watson was responsible for introducing the Japanese Honeysuckle to the United States and encouraged its use throughout the country.

He anticipated much of the work later to be undertaken at the Fenway and the arboretum in Boston by planting at Hillside Asclethra, Black Alder, Viburnum Cassinoides, Rhodora, and Rhododendrum Maximum. He also planted and cultivated Yellow and Canoe Birches. Watson was greatly interested in mass production of garden vegetables for the Boston market and for a while attempted to grow melons, turnips, celery and cabbages. He also grew peaches on a large scale and at one time had three thousand peach trees planted. He acted as a consultant to people with horicultural problems throughout New England and was greatly respected in his field. Watson, besides being a successful horticulturalist, was interested in literature and philosophy.

He and his wife, Mary Russell Watson, were close friends of the major Concord philosophers of the mid-nineteenth century, and of numerous other American philosophers of that time. Some of the people who were attracted to Hillside, for extended visits with the Watsons and for relaxation and enjoyment of the pastoral atmosphere, included Henry David Thoreau, A. Bronson Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, William Ellery Channing, Richard Henry Dana, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Edward Everett Hale, Wendell Phillips, Horace Greeley, J.P. Appleton and Louisa May Alcott. They came to Hillside to enjoy the gardens, the house and each others company. Many of the papers of these philosophers were first written here, and others given their first public hearing in the gardens or parlor.

Hillside created an almost idyllic atmosphere for these great American thinkers and contributed to the formulation of their concept of the relationship between nature and philosophy.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES L.D. Geller, Between Concord and PLymouth: The Transcendentalists and the Watsons, published by Thoreau Foundation and Pilgrim Society, 1973 Hillside Collection of Manuscripts, Pilgrim Society Library, Plymouth, MA Journals of Henry David Thoreau Letter of A.B. Alcott, Iowa University Press, 1969 Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, May 1898 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ok wm 10-6-75 ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY 9.44 acres UTM REFERENCES A 1,9] 13|6,017410 EASTING 1416/415/2,0,01 NORTHING BuLL ZONE EASTING LLIL DLLILLL NORTHING VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION STATE noGo! LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES CODE COUNTY CODE STATE CODE COUNTY CODE 11 FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE Christine Boulding, Assistant Survey Director, and Lawrence D.

Geller ORGANIZATION DATE Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET & NUMBER June, 1975 TELEPHONE 40 Beacon Street 617-727-8470 CITY OR TOWN STATE Boston Massachusetts 02108 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS NATIONAL - STATE LOCAL- As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE Eljakich R. Amadon TITLE Mass.

State Historic Preservation Officer DATE 6/6/75 FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY 1S INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Pa p KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER DATE DATE 9/18/01 SEP 1 6 1975 GPO 888-445 Property state mass. TECHNICAL Photos J Maps 2 Villside Hymouth Working Number 6.13.25.1085 CONTROL 6.16,75 HISTORIAN Accept E. Smith 8-21-75 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN Recept Hlovrel 6-18. 75 ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER HAER Inventory Review REVIEW UNIT CHIEF Cols 9-8.75 BRANCH CHIEF 9.12.75 KEEPER National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 11-4-25 Send-back Re-submit SEP 1 6 197 Entered United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 7 SEP 1 8 1975 INT:2106-74 south pecad PROPENTY OF THE HATIONAL REGISTER photo NPS Numver 9/12/25 Title: Hilleide Loc.

Cky, N.H Luitk facade 1085 wst elevaton PLot PROPERTY OF TEE NATIONAL FEGISTER NPS Number 9/18/75 Title: Kelleide 1o0. East elevaten 205 westelevation photo 43 PROPERTY OF TER NATIONAL REGOE SPS Mumvex 9/18/75 Title: Hellide 100. Plymsikl Cousky, MA Wert elevatin 3of5 PROPERTY OF TIZ HATONAL REGISTER NPS Number 9/18/75 Fitle: Hilloide 70e- PlynsuXk Cky, MH Leeo of Maraxte Uatenia Old colnu ursenies x lasda at Kielside choto A Viau of B. MARsion Waisons OLd Colony Nursenies And lands su at Hillside. Plan -Hittside. LALCOnE 2 M6 Walson Rlymeuth Was: Sureered by 6 1054 D. 3 33 7px Rassell Ro Tribble M. *8 N Elias Thomar N58-8 890 Ase Thoma Dislanr- ih.i» plen/ Aelilo samget H.D.

Thaeau un /85 9 phot + PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER NPS Numeer 9/18/25 Titlet Nilleide L0e: Plpasu41 Courky, AH Plas of Nelleide surveyed by N.D realuen 1854 585 ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSA USEPIS Date Entered SEP /8 1975 Name Location H111side Piymouth Plymouth County Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Fion. Edward w. Beocite Fon. Gerry E. Studds Regional Director, Noath Atlantic Region PR MMott/row Also Notified state Historic Preservation Oflicer tora. Elisabath R.

Anadon Executive Dizector Maseachusetta Iistorical Cormission 294 Washington Street Boston, Messachusetts 02108 9/24/75 INT: 2950-75 SASL BETH CREAGIDAN LAVE LHERTAE Paul Guzzi Pecretary of the Commonwealth 10 June 1975 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Ofice of the Secretary Massachusetts Histonical Commission 40 Bbeacon Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 727-8470 <9Il10) RECÊIVED JUN 1 3 1975 NATIONAL REGISTER Mr. Charles Herrington, Chief Registration National Register of Historic Places National Park Service U.S. Department fo the Interior 18th and C Streets, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20240 CERTIFIED MAIL Dear Charles: Enclosed please find two National Register nominations for the following properties: 1. Lexington, The Stone Building and the Follen Community Church 2. Plymouth, Hillside.

These properties have been voted eligible for submission by the Massachusetts Historical Commission (the State Review Board) and have been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer, Elizabeth R. Amadon. Singerely yours, Patruw hi Wesbrste" Patricia L. Weslowski Survey Director Massachusetts Historical Commission Enclosures DNR Data Sheet DATE: 3/3 77 Reviewer Tranps geoft NR DOE Sept. NAMEAS IT APPEARS IN FEDERAL REGISTER: 10 Hillside OTHER NANES: LOCATION: STREET & NUMBER 230 Summer Street- CITY.

TOWN Plymouth VICINITY OF STATE Massachusetts CONGRESSIUNAL DISTRICT 12th COUNTY code PLymouth 023° OWNER OF PROPERTY: (Circle) PRIVATE STATE LOCAL GOV'T MUNICIPAL COUNTY OTHER ADMINISTRATOR(underiine) FEDERAL (AGENCY NAME) : NPS REGION: (CIRCLE) N.ATLANTIC MID ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST MIDWEST SOUTHWEST ROCKY MOUNTAIN WEST PACIFIC NORTHWEST FEATURES: INTERIOR Substantially intact-1 - unknown - 4 - not applicable - 7 CONDITION - LEXCELLENT _GOOO -FAIR EXTERIOR ENVIRONS Substantially intact-2 Substantially intact-3 - unknown.-5 -. unknown -6 _ not applicable - 8 -Not applicable-9 -Interior, exterior, environs not intact-0 _DETERIORATED _UNALTERED _RUINS ALTERED _UNEXPOSED -Reconstructed LORIGINAL SITE -MOVED _Unkncwn _Unexcavated _Excavated ACCESS - Yes-restricted Yes-urrestricted No access Unknown historic distriet? YES NO WITHIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT?

IF YES, NAME: YES NO WITHIN NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK? IF YES, NAME: YES NO ADAPTIVE USE: YES NO Saved?

YES -FUNCTION (S): (use vocabulary words) then-pruvate Reridene same now- SIGNIFICANCE: ARCHEULUGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORI AGRICULTURE- ARCHITECTURE - K ART _COMMERCE _COMMUNICATIONS -CONSERVATION _ECONOMICS _EDUCATION -ENGINEERING - _EXPLORATION INDUSTRY JNVENTION Claims "first" YES NO LLANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 15 _RELIGION _LAW/Gov't/politics _SCIENCE LUTERATURE - /7 _MILITARY SOCIAU/HUMANITARIAN _MUSIC LPHILOSOPHY -20 POLITICS/GOVERNMENT -TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) "oldest2 YES NO --entertainment health -recreation _settlement _socio/cultural _urban & commun planning "only" YES NO ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: G0THIC REvIUaL architect/m.builder:-PCW: S0MUsL LeNgreuengineer: landscape/garden designer: interior decorator: artist/artisan: builder/contractor: ETHNIC GROUP: NAMES: (label role personal () Beujamin MaRsTON WatsON- horticultivralist & appropriate date) ouser o house-assoccated with many the coucord events Philosophers if Mhe 19TH C.

Rlan Jualdae wsho m lese who sed extended visito i Hleny David Torean, Bransor willian Cllen Edvand Everett Hale, Wendell Phillips, Horacd Greeley, Pichard Henry Dane,. institutional Xowsa Mey Vitco#t DATES: DATE OF CONSIZUCION (specifle dato or 1/1 of century): (845 DATE (S) OF "MAJOR" ALTERATIONS: c.18905 HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT DATE (S) : SOURCE: (OF NOMINATION) PRIVATE STATE LOCAL GOV"T MUNICIPAL COUNTY OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY: ACREAGE" (to nearest tenth of an acre) 9.4 COMMENTS: (include architectural infornation here) FRAME, CLAPBOARDING ; l/25TOR1ES, IRREGULAR SHAPE, INTERSECTING GABLED ROOF WUH DORMSRS, INTERIOR CHÄMNEYS, PREDECTING. FRONT CABLED SMMRANEG BAY NNHMI, ISF- SAORY TUDOR-ARCHED - PERCN, ADOMORL SADE ENTEONRE, POLTGONAL DIOE WINDU BAN: 2-STORT HIPPED ADDIMON, C. I0905; REMAINS OK EXTENSIVE NURSERT PLANTINES AROUND HOUSE. GOTAIC RENIVAL. RESIDENCE oF BENJAMN MARSTON.

WATSON, foiticulturaliat SIGNIFICANCE.(maximum two sentences) WHO ESTABÜSHED TAE OLD COLONY NURSERTES AND INTRODUCED MANY NEW VARIETES OR PLANTS AND TRRES TO THIS COUNTRY; WATSON WAS AiSO ASSOCIGTED WUH B' HOSTED MANY AR THE-NOTED PHILOSOPHERS OK HHEDAR ICUDING, THRLDU, EMERISON, HORACE ERESLEs, ano CLovsa Mar want y mentix axy otherk, S.?