Cultural Landscape Report: Adams National Historic Site, Quincy, Massachusetts

88 Pages·1997·5.5 MB·English

by  Lacy, Katharine

I 29.86/4: 13
Cultural Landscape Report
Adams
National
Historic Site
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Quincy, Massachusetts depository item
JAN 2 6 1998
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Cultural Landscape Report
Adams
National
Historic Site
Quincy, Massachusetts
Illustrated Site Chronology
by
Katharine Lacy
Historical Landscape Architect
National Park Service
CULTURAL LANDSCAPE PUBLICATION NO. I3
Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation
National Park Service
Boston, Massachusetts
October 1997
—
This report is partofthe Cultural Landscape Publication Series produced by the Olmsted Center for Landscape
Preservation.This series includes avarietyofpublications designed to provide information andguidance on
landscape preservation to managers and other preservation professionals.Theseries editoris NoraJ. Mitchell.
The Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation promotes thestewardship ofsignificant landscapes through
research, planningand sustainable preservation maintenance. Based at the FrederickLaw Olmsted National
Historic Site, the center perpetuates the tradition ofthe Olmsted firms and FrederickLaw Olmsted Sr.'s lifelong
commitment to people, parks and publicspaces.
Olmsted Centerfor Landscape Preservation
99Warren Street
MA
Brookline, 02146
[phone]
LibraryofCongress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Lacy, Katharine, 1961
Cultural landscape report, illustrated site chronology: Adams National Historic Site, Quincy,
Massachusetts/prepared by Katharine Lacy.
—
p. cm. (Cultural landscape publication; no. 13)
Includes bibliographical references.
—
1. Adams National Historic Site (Quincy, Mass.) 2. Quincy (Mass.) Buildings, structures, etc.
— — —
3. Landscape Massachusetts Quincy History. 4. Adams family.
I. Olmsted Centerfor Landscape Preservation (U.S.) II.Title. III. Series.
F74.Q71L33 1997 97-19723
974.47—dc21 CIP
Publication credits: Information in this publication maybe copied and usedwith the condition that full credit
be given to the authorand Olmsted Center forLandscape Preservation, National Park Service. Appropriate
citations and bibliographic credits should be made foreach use.
Cover: Photograph ofOld House from the Southwest, 1928. Courtesyofthe Society for the Preservation of
New EnglandAntiquities.
*JS®SJ*
Contents
ListofFigures iv
AcknowledgmentsandProjectBackground mi
Introduction viii
Site History
EarlyDevelopmentandVassall/Borland Period: 1625-1787 1
Historical Background and SummaryofChanges
Site Chronology
John Adams Period: 1787-1826 9
Historical Background and SummaryofChanges
Site Chronology
John QuincyAdams Period: 1826-1848 21
Historical Background and SummaryofChanges
Site Chronology
Charles FrancisAdams Period: 1848-1886 31
Historical Background and SummaryofChanges
Site Chronology
BrooksAdams Period: 1891-1927 47
Historical Background and SummaryofChanges
Site Chronology
AdamsMemorialSocietyPeriod: 1927-1946 55
Historical Background and SummaryofChanges
Site Chronology
NationalParkService Period: 1946to Present 61
Historical Background and SummaryofChanges
Site Chronology
Description ofExistingConditions: 1996 65
Plans 68
EndNotes 70
Bibliography 76
^^^^v
Figures
FIGURE PAGE
1. William Tyng's 45-acre farm, Braintree, Massachusetts, 1649. 3
ByEzekial Sargent, Quincy, Massachusetts. Quincy Historical Society, Sargent
MSS Collection, "Land FormerlyofWilliamTyng".
2. "Adams Seat in Quincy", 1787. 8
Aperiod plan oftheAdams property prepared c.1966. Wilhelmina Harris,
FurnishingsReport, ofthe OldHouse, Adams National Historic Site (NHS),
Quincy, Massachusetts, 1966-68, Vol. 9, #548, p. 820.
3. "Braintree", 1798. 16
By E. Malcolm, NewYork, NewYork. Adams NHS. Also in Helen Nelson
Skeen, DocumentaryNarrativeofBuildingsShown onHistoricBaseMap ofthe
AdamsNationalHistoricSite, 1965, fig. 1.
4. "Sketch ofthe Mansion", 1820. 18
ByAbigail SmithAdams.AdamsNHS. Also in Harris, FurnishingsReport,
Vol. 2, #40, p. 178.
5. "SeatofHon.JohnAdams", 1820-1829. 19
ByGeorgeWashington Beale. Adams NHS. Also in Harris, Furnishings
Report,Vo\.2,#4l,p. 179.
6. "Residence ofJohnAdams andJohn QuincyAdams", 1823. 20
ByEliza Susan Quincy. Adams NHS. Also in Harris, FurnishingsReport,
p. 180.
7. "Plan oftheAdams Place", 1826. 20
ByMatthewWorthington, Surveyor. Reproduction at Quincy Historical
Society.
8. "TheAdams Seatin Quincy", 1823. 24
ByMrs. G.W Whitney. Adams NHS. Also in Harris, FurnishingsReport,
Vol. 9, p. 551.
9. "AViewofthe Residence ofLate PresidentAdams at Quincy, 28
Massachusetts", 1837.
BySarahApthorp. Adams NHS. Also in Harris, FurnishingsReport, Vol. 9,
and Charles E. Peterson, HistoricStructuresReport, PartI: TheAdamsMansion,
AdamsNationalHistoricSite, 1963, fig. 7.
10. "Residence ofJohn QuincyAdams, Quincy, Massachusetts", 1846. 30
Woodcut, artist unknown. Adams NHS. Also in Harris, FurnishingsReport,
Vol. 3, #45, p. 185.
IV
1
*^
FIGURE PAGE
11. "Daguerreotype ofOld House", 1849. 34
By Mr. Whipple, Boston, Massachusetts. Adams NHS, Bureau,Third Floor,
1869 Addition. Also in Harris, FurnishingsReport, Vol. 9. Ibid, Vol. 3, #46.
12. Plan ofCharles FrancesAdams's Homestead, 1849. 35
Surveyed by S. D. Eaton.The Office ofEarnestW. Branch, Civil Engineer, 1
Adams Building, Quincy, Massachusetts. Also in Peterson, HistoricStructures
Report, 1963. 111. 3.
13.Aportion ofthe Eaton survey, 1849. 36
Prepared by EarnestW. Branch, Civil Engineer, 11 Adams Building, Quincy,
Massachusetts. Also in Helen L. Nelson, Reporton thePropertyon theSouth
SideofAdamsStreet, 1962.
14. "Viewin Oils", 1849. 37
By Frankenstein. Harris, FurnishingsReport, Vol. 9.
15. "ViewoftheAdams Mansion at Quincy", 1852. 38
Engraving byMallory. Gleason'sPictorialDrawingRoom Companion, Volume 3,
1852, p.120. Also in Harris, FurnishingsReport, Vol. 3.
16. "Changes Recommended for the Old House Grounds", 1865. 40
ByJohn QuincyAdams II. Adams Manuscripts, Massachusetts Historical
Society. Also in Harris, FurnishingsReport, Vol. 3, #48, p.188.
17. Photograph ofthe front ofthe Old House, 1870. 41
Adams NHS. Also in Harris, FurnishingsReport, Vol. 9, #34, p. 838.
18. Photograph ofAdams mansion, c.1880. 44
Quincy Historical Society.
19. Photograph ofOld House, 1882. 44
ByBaldwin Coolidge, 154Tremont Street, Boston. Societyfor the
Preservation ofNew EnglandAntiquities, #466-A.
20.Viewofthe flood of1886. 45
Harris, FurnishingsReport, Vol. 9, p. 841.
21.ViewofOld House taken from field acrossAdams Street, 1887. 45
Quincy Historical Society.
22. Photograph ofOld House taken from southwestcornerofproperty, 1889. 46
Adams NHS. Also in Skeen, DocumentaryHistoryofthe OldHouse, fig. 10.
23. Map details oftheAdams estate and surroundingproperties, 1897. 49
Atlas ofNorfolkCounty, Quincy Historical Society.
24. Adams garden andlibrary, 1903. 50
Adams NHS. Also in Skeen, DocumentaryNarrativeofBuildingsShown on
HistoricBaseMap oftheAdamsNationalHistoricSite, 1965, fig. 11.
*^
c^
FIGURE PAGE
25. Plan ofland in the CityofQuincy, 1905. 51
Quincy Historical Society.
26. Atlas ofthe CityofQuincy, 1907. 52
Compiled byEarnestW. Branch. QuincyHistorical Society.
27. "Old House, East Lawn, EarlySpring," 1915. 53
Adams NHS. Also in Harris, FurnishingsReport, Vol. I, #28, p. 123.
28.Viewofthelibraryinwinter, 1920. 53
Thomas Crane Memorial Library, Quincy, Massachusetts.
29-32. Fourphotographs ofthe garden atthe Old House, c. 1920s. 56
Adams NHS.
33. Photograph ofOld Housewithout eastern portico, 1928. 57
A. F. Shurrocks Photography Co. Societyforthe Preservation ofNewEngland
Antiquities, #100-18-A.
34. Photograph ofOld House from the southwest, 1928. 57
A. F. Shurrocks PhotographyCo. Societyfor the Preservation ofNewEngland
Antiquities, #100-19-A.
35. AWalkin the Flower Garden,Adams Mansion, Quincy, Massachusetts, 58
1928."
Society for the Preservation ofNew EnglandAntiquities, #16772-A.
36. Aportion ofthe plan ofFurnace BrookParkway, c. 1945. 59
Metropolitan District Commission, Boston.
37. HABS drawingofAdams site, Quincy, 1936. 59
HistoricAmerican Building Survey, Works ProgressAdministration, Official
Project No. 265-6907. 1936.
38. HABS drawingofAdams Flower Garden, 1941. 60
Adams NHS (Planting Plan) United States Departmentofthe Interior,
National ParkService, Office ofHistoryand HistoricArchitecture.
39. BrooksAdams's garage, 1947. 62
Adams NHS. Also in Skeen, DocumentaryNarrativeofBuildings, fig. 12.
40. Two photographs ofAdamsgarden, 1959. 63
Adams NHS.
41. Period Plan, 1927 68
42. ExistingConditions, 1996 69
VI
*J^^^*
Acknowledgments and
Project Background
FROM THE AUTHOR BACKGROUND
I would like to thankNora Mitchell, Director, as well The cultural landscape at theAdams Old House has
as Lauren MeierandMargaret CofFin ofthe Olmsted long been recognized as asignificant historic resource.
Center for Landscape Preservation for reviewing Over the past halfcenturyseveral reports have been
drafts ofthis report. I am also grateful to thestaffat written which address the historyofthe Old House,
theAdams National HistoricSite, particularly portions ofthe grounds, and individual features and
Marianne Peak, Superintendent, Caroline Keinath, structures within the park boundaries. Additionally,
ChiefofInterpretation, andJudy McAllister, Curator, there is a substantial collection ofhistoric photo-
for their patience, support and assistancewith this graphs and images ofthe grounds at theAdams Old
project.Thanks are also due to the staffat the Quincy House available at the park and other locations.
Historical Societyand the Society for the Preservation However, therewas no single document which
ofNewEnglandAntiquities for the useoftheir comprehensivelyaddressed theevolution ofthis
archives and forassistancewith additional research. significant landscape. Consequently, in the planning
The textwas prepared by the Olmsted Centerfor phases ofthis project, stafffrom Adams NHS and the
Landscape Preservation. Design, editingand produc- Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation deter-
tion ofthe reportwas accomplished by Beth mined that to the fullest extent possible research
McKinneyGraphic Design and SharyPage Bergwith should done using existingsecondarysources available
GoodyClancy &Associates. Finally, I am indebted to at the parkand Boston Support Office Library, with
the authors ofthe manyfine reports from which the primary research limited to the studyand interpreta-
information in this Cultural Landscape Reportwas tion ofpertinent graphic images.The intent ofthis
drawn. While credit is fully owed to them for effortwas to provide a thorough review ofthe
thorough and accurate research, all errors are certainly substantive body ofexisting material, while culling
my own. out any information pertaining to the evolution of
—
KatharineLacy the landscape.
Rather than prepare a narrative site history,
itwas decided that an annotated, illustrated chronol-
ogywould be more efficient to prepareandwould
serve as a moreversatile tool for park staff, including
interpreters, curators, groundskeepers and managers.
Agraphic designerwas hired to develop a formatand
guidelines for this new type ofdocument.This
Illustrated Site Chronology for theAdams Old House
is the first document ofits type in the Olmsted
Center's Cultural Landscape Series. It should prove
both useful and informative to all who have an
interest in the landscape at the Old House.
vn
J^^^*
Introduction
TheAdams National Historic Site in Quincy, required byNPS policies, it is intended that this
Massachusetts, was established on December 9, 1946 documentwill serveas the basis fora Cultural
through agenerous gift from theAdams family to the LandscapeTreatment Plan, and fordevelopinga
people ofthe United States.The parkwas specifically strategy for the on-going maintenance ofthis impor-
created to celebrate the memoryofthe fourgenera- tant resource.
tionsofAdamseswho occupied thesite from 1787- As this document illustrates, each ofthe
1927 and theirsignificant contributions to politics, Adamses had a unique relationship to the grounds and
literatureand the developmentofthe nation. At the left his or herdistinguishing markon the landscapeof
same time, theAdamses recognized the opportunity the Old House. At the same time, events beyond the
presented bythepropertyto teach the public about control oftheAdams family, including the growth of
theeverydaylife ofanAmerican familyovera period the CityofQuincy, have had an equally important
ofnearlya centuryand ahalf Because the sitewas impacton the evolution ofthis site.Thespacious
occupied by thesamefamily forso long, it reflects an grounds oftheAdams Old House, oncesurrounded
accumulation ofchangingattitudes towards a home bythe family's extensive farmland, nowstand outas a
and its grounds. Consequently, the deed establishing tranquil enclave surrounded bybusythoroughfares
thesitespecified that no changes should be made to and urban development.The approach taken byeach
—
theOld House its contents, dependencies or generation ofAdamses towards this property reflected
—
grounds which should be maintained as theywereat its broader ideals about theappropriate appearance
—
the end ofBrooksAdams' lifetime in 1927. and treatmentoflandscapes in general even those
Since the park's establishment, efforts have far beyond their own stonewalls. While some
been made to document the Old House, its major generations had agreater impact than others, signifi-
outbuildings and tremendous museum collection. cant landscapefeatures, such as walls, an orchard,
However, therewas no single documentwhich trees, a pond orasingle rose, remain from each period
comprehensivelyaddressed the evolution ofthe in thesite's history. Over time, efforts to categorize the
landscape as awhole.This Cultural Landscape landscape at the Old House as reflectingasingle
Report: Illustrated Site Chronologyis intended to period have neversucceeded. Instead, as envisioned by
address that need bytracing theevolution ofthe theAdamses in theirgift, the grounds at the Old
landscape at the Old House from its development as House provide a unique opportunityto learn about
farmland in the 17th century, through its ownership nearly 150 years ofchanging attitudes towards the
byfourgenerations oftheAdams family, to its landscape.
establishment as aNational Historic Site. Further, as
viu