Historic Homes of New England

by Mary Harrod Northend

THE ROYALL HOUSE

The types of mansions described in this book are found not only in New England but through the South. They show marked differences, which give to them picturesqueness and absence of monotony in build. In studying these homes, we must remember that master carpenters were steadily gaining opportunities to brighten their wits by books dealing with architecture, which were being imported into the colonies. We must also remember that increase of wealth had brought about more advantages, and that the nation was demanding better and more elaborate homes.

With change in exterior came a corresponding one in the interior. Transatlantic ideas were incorporated in the newer homes. There came a progress in the interior finish, showing artistic staircases, colonial windows, and hand-carving in mantel and cornice. Thus was introduced a new and lasting development along architectural lines.

With the larger houses many features of the original ones were discarded. There was no longer the wide central chimney around which the rooms clustered. We find no longer in the chimney-places bricks set in clay, and lathes split from logs, but better and more lasting work. The wood commonly used in these old houses was white pine, which is not so common to-day, although there is nothing more lasting.

Unfortunately, not many of these mansions have survived, many having fallen into decay and disappeared. There are, however, enough left to aid the growth of colonial ideas in twentieth century homes.

One of these houses that deserves more than passing notice stands on Main Street in Medford, Massachusetts, "a house within a house," and is called the Royall house. It is the only building standing on this land, which is known as "The Ten Hills Farm." This estate, with additional grounds, was granted to Governor Winthrop in 1631, and as early as 1637 the homestead lot was set apart and walled in. Not long afterward we find that tenants and employees of the governor were located here, the Royall house being one of their places of abode.

Plate LXXVIII.—The Royall House, Medford, Mass.

The original mansion, which was two and a half stories in height, was much plainer and smaller than is the present one. Since its erection it has been raised one story, and the present house has been made to enclose the original structure. Among the old houses that are still standing, few have the dignity and stateliness of this mansion, and its roof has sheltered some of the most important men and women connected with our country's history.