Landscapes in Massachusetts
Codman Estate, c. 1740
Codman Road
Lincoln, Mass. 01773
(781) 259-8843
Acres: 15.75
The area surrounding the Codman
Estate was originally a 700-acre commercial farm. In 1740, the
property was transformed into a country estate "a l'anglais" in the
style of Repton. Featured on the15 park-like acres that surround
Codman House are unique specimen trees and shrubbery ordered from
Europe and Asia, an early 20th-century classical Italian garden, and
an English cottage garden. The Codman carriage house and grounds may
be rented for weddings and other functions. The Codman House grounds
may be enjoyed during museum hours.
Discover more about the Codman Estate landscape in the Historic
New England magazine archives:
Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, c. 1690
5 Little's Lane
Newbury, Mass. 01951
(978) 462-2634
Acres: 240
The property surrounding the
Spencer-Peirce-Little House
retains an historic landscape that has changed little since the
earliest known photographs. This 240-acre farm is a rare survival in
New England from an original 400-acre land grant of 1635. Since its
beginning, this has been one of the region's most productive
agricultural properties. The Little Farm has, since
the last century, been referred to as The Farm, an impressive title
considering that coastal Newbury is an agricultural community made up
of many farms. Continuous agricultural activity since the 17th
century has included harvesting salt marsh and English hay, raising
livestock, supplying produce for the 18th- and 19th-century coastal
trade routes, importing draft horses before the advent of motorized
plows, and growing spinach to support the efforts of WWII Visitors
can enjoy the Eliza Little Trail, a 1/4 mile foot path on the farm,
which is part of the Bay Circuit Trail. The fields are actively
farmed. Please stay on the marked path.. The farm grounds may be
enjoyed during museum hours.
The Lyman Estate, 1793
Lyman Estate Greenhouses, 1804 - 1930
185 Lyman Street
Waltham, Mass.
(781) 891-4882 , ext. 244
Acres: 37
The Lyman Estate, known as The Vale, is one of the finest examples
in the United States of a country estate laid out according to the
principles of 18th-century English naturalistic design. The grounds
contain a number of specimen trees, a 600-foot peach wall, and late
19th-century rhododendrons and azaleas introduced by the Lyman
family.
The Lyman Estate historic greenhouses are evidence of a
fascination with horticulture common among Boston gentry in the early
years of the Republic. The Grape House, built in 1804 to raise exotic
fruits such as citrus, pineapple, and banana, today houses extensive
grape vines, grown from cuttings taken in 1870 from Hampton Court in
England. The Camellia House was built around 1820 for the cultivation
of this exotic shrub, which had been introduced to America via Europe
in 1797 from its native habitats in coastal China, Japan, and Korea.
Many of the Lyman camellias are more than 100 years old.
The newest greenhouse, added in 1930 to provide fresh flowers for
the house, is the main sales area for plants sold year-round to the
public. Among the plants for sale are scented geraniums, orchids,
seasonal flowering plants, herbs, and camellias propagated from the
100-year-old trees. Special plant sales and
workshops are held periodically
throughout the year.
The Lyman Estate Greenhouses are open for sales Monday through
Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Grounds at the Lyman Estate may be
enjoyed daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In addition, the grounds and the house, designed in the Federal
style in 1793 by noted Salem architect Samuel McIntire, are available
for weddings and private functions.
Discover more about the Lyman Estate landscape in the Historic
New England magazine archives:
