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The Life From The Roots blog topics have changed several times since I began this blog in 2009. I initially wrote only about the family history I had been working on for 20 years. Years later, I was into visiting gardens, historical homes, churches, libraries that had genealogical collections, historical societies, war memorials, and travel/tourism places. I also enjoy posting autographs and photos of famous people I've met or have seen.

Along with my New England roots, other areas include New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Please check out the labels on the right side for topics (please note, they need work). Below the labels and pageviews is a listing of my top nine posts, according to Google. Four of them pertain to Lowell, MA. These posts change often because they are based on what people are reading.

Saturday, November 14, 2015

If you Like Louis Comfort Tiffany, you will love this Boston House!


Ayer Mansion
395 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA

In May 2015, I wrote a blog about the beautiful old Frederick F. Ayer house, also known as the Franco American School in Lowell, Massachusetts. The following month, I went to Boston to tour the house Frederick had built in 1899-1903 by Louis Comfort Tiffany. What a treasure, and I hadn't even known it existed. Tours are held several times a month, you need to register and the price was $10 for me.
The Ayer Mansion is very modern looking, even though it was built in 1902.
Front entrance, below, looking out at Commonwealth Avenue and park.

This is the front parlor where the lecture began. The house is still being renovated, so we just saw a few rooms, but that was okay because everybody was in awe at what they saw.
Close-up of one window pane.


The grand staircase is made of marble and the wall covering was done in gold colored small pieces of tile (more photos and detailed history may be seen at this LINK.)
Sample of tile work, and lovely ceiling lights and staircase.



Round table and chairs designed by Louis C. Tiffany.

In the above room is where George S. Patton proposed to Beatrice Ayer.
Daughters, Beatrice Banning Ayer (later married George S. Patton) and Mary Katherine "Kay."
Photos of Frederick and Ellen Barrows Banning Ayer.
The front entrance, with doors closed, showing the original green Tiffany glass. Spectacular!

The Ayer house from across the street, and a view of Boston from the park.