Nathan Appleton House, 40 Beacon Street, Boston

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS MASS,13-BOST,94-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Appleton was a pivotal figure in early American commerce and industry. In acting as agent for the Boston Manufacturing Company, he founded the first textile sales agency, establishing the precedent of separating manufacturing and marketing operations. Dubbed the "Great Manufacturer," Appleton helped shift New England's economy from its former commercial base to an industrial base after the War of His daughter Frances married Henry Wadsworth Longfellow at this residence. The elegant Beacon Street bowfront, one of twin town houses designed by architect Alexander Parris, was the home of the Women's City Club of Boston from to the Architects for later renovations include Perry, Shaw and Hepburn as well as Richard Walsh.

Description: Originally the townhouse rose up three stories and was capped by a balustrade that screened the low-pitched roof from view. Each half was identical in plan and was three bays in width. The end bay curved outward, accommodating two windows and lending a graceful bow- front to the street facade. Later, another story was added, although the balustrade was kept and re-installed. The original cornice remains in-situ. Materials: Field measurements for the stair are included in the field notes for this record. Likely these were drawn as part of the recording effort. 1 Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MAORIS), Inventory No. BOS.4086; "Nathan Appleton House," Nomination National Register for Historic Places.