The owners of the William H. Smith House were the recipients of the 2000 Historic Preservation Award. They were a featured home in the 2007 Attleboro Tour of Historic Homes on Saturday, June 2, 2007. Below is the narrative of that House Tour:
History & Front Door
Front Door
Welcome to the William H. Smith house, an example of high-style Queen Anne Victorian architecture. Some have called South Main Street Attleboro’s Queen Anne Way, with numerous fine examples of the style. This 1881 house is the best example of Queen Anne architecture on South Main Street and is an important integral part of the South Main Street streetscape.
The Victorian era lasted 64 years, from 1837 to 1901. Early Victorian structures were relatively simple in style, while those built after the Civil War in America are more elaborate and flamboyant, very much fueled by the new industrial society. The Queen Annes’ have a gabled roof, shingled insets, angled bay windows under the gable and, on occasion, a tower. This house is also marked by large, prominent chimneys with corbelled tops.
The house has multiple exterior wall materials, including two different shingles and clapboards. At the third level are fish-scale shingles. In the center are octagonal shingles.
The goal in painting this house was to utilize a paint pattern and color to bring attention to such architectural elements as the multiple shingle styles, cornerboards, cutaway corner windows, fluted columns, turned baluster balustrades, crown moldings, latticework, gutter moldings, dentals, scroll brackets, acorn and rosette designs, as well as the wood carved flowers, garland, ribbons, and sunbursts. The house is now painted with five base colors which were selected to highlight all of its architectural ornamentation and to be in keeping with its original paint scheme.
In the last quarter of the 1800’s, the manufacture of jewelry was a key industry in Attleboro. The Victorian architecture appealed to the owners of the jewelry factories as the complexity of the style mirrored the designs emanating from their factories.
The home was designed by William H. Goff who also designed such other buildings in Attleboro as the St. Joseph’s Parish House at 208 South Main Street (1880’s), the Bates Block at 4 Park Street (1886) and the McCormick house at 114 County Street (1886). Goff designed and built 185 South Main Street for William H. Smith, senior partner in the Smith & Crosby jewelry manufacturing company.
South Main Street has a strong association with the manufacture of jewelry, an important component in the industrial development of Attleboro. Numbers 185 and 181 are both associated with the Smith & Crosby jewelry manufacturing firm, with William H. Smith the owner of this spacious Queen Anne home and with his partner, Alfred R. Crosby, later building right next door at 181 Main Street.
Smith & Crosby was established in 1874 and William H. Smith was an original partner along with Alfred H. Crosby. In 1924, they had fifty employees and made a specialty of such solid gold front goods as cuff buttons, fobs, knives, chains, full-dress sets, bracelets, brooches, ear drops, etc.
William H. Smith remained in residence there until approximately 1910.
There is a controversy as to the date of the house and the identity of the original owner. The map on the wall inside the home is from Atlas of Bristol County by Beers 1871. This map identifies the owner of this house as L. Sweet (who may have been the brother to the first mayor of Attleboro), a jeweler located on North Main Street. The estate encompassed from here to approximately 3 miles south as the left boundary and to the railroad tracks to the rear. On the right there was another house. The property was divided up and Manchester Street was named for one of the previous owners of the property – possibly for the person who subdivided the land and created the street. The Attleboro Historical Commission has provided different information and we have gone with their findings.
The front doors are made of two different types of mahogany to give it a two toned look.
There was a round porch where the side porch ends that wrapped around to the front of the house about mid-way and reached to the second floor.
The lampposts were purchased at auction when they were updating the lights on the bridges between Cambridge and Boston and used here at each end of the front yard.
The brick walkway was placed over the original cement sidewalk. The cement apron that surrounds the house (as water and bug protection) still exists 8” below grade. We discovered it when we took out all of the bushes surrounding the foundation and were putting in our own crushed stone apron.
There are a number or architectural details that appear on the outside of the home and are repeated inside. Urn and ribbons that accent the front of the house are repeated in the fireplace inset in the living room. The full and half sunbursts are repeated as well. Swirl and dot carvings on the North side of the home are repeated in many of the stain glass windows. The fretwork above the front porch are repeated in mahogany on the main staircase as you first walk in.
Entry Hall/Foyer, Music Room, Living Room
Foyer
The best feature of the house is this original mahogany paneled staircase. The fretwork or lattice was typical of the time. There is a closet under the stairway. The two stained glass windows here and one in the entry hall between the two doorways have integrated designs on both the exterior and interior. The magnificent two storied stained glass windows are the hallmark of the staircase.
There are 15 stained glass windows in the house, 14 are original to the house. All have had protective exterior storm windows added to preserve them for generations to come. (The stained glass windows were appraised in 2006 for $250 per square foot).
Back then electricity was not very reliable, so this home had both electric and gas lighting. There are 7 gas fixtures still in the house. (For safety reasons the gas source to them has been disconnected and a new gas line has been run for current use). As a matter of fact, there is still a gas jet in the foyer closet.
“What goes around comes around” – although not our personal taste, we were surprised to find that this foil paper (popular in the 70’s) was actually a popular design at the turn of the century as well. A central foyer, such as this, was always a darker area of the home and the use of foil papers or other reflective metallic wall coverings were common in the homes of the wealthy.
All but one of the hardwood floors in the main rooms are the originals. These are characterized by the inlaid designs popular back then. We have added new hardwoods to a few of the other rooms during the course of restoration, as well as exposed and refinished some of the original plank wide board floors .
Just to show you how the quality of materials used in the home have held up, we have a few of the original radiators patented 1875 still working very well in the house.
There are 5 fireplaces in the house, 4 are original. Luckily for us, none of these mantels were ever painted and each has retained its rich oil-stained finish. The 4 originals mantels also have their original firebacks and tiles as well. Each fireback has a different design. The most dramatic is the one in the master bedroom of a face blowing what appears to be the north wind.
The house has been furnished, mostly, with antiques. (In fact, it is easier to point out what is new or reproduction, than it is to name them all). The more interesting ones will be pointed out in each room.
In the foyer, we have a walnut roll top desk from around 1900, mantel clock, and clock statute.
Music Room
This would have been used as a receiving room. The music room and living room was originally two rooms. There would have been a wall between here and the living room. Guests would be asked to wait here to be announced and then shown into the parlor through the doorway left of the mantel in the foyer.
The ceiling medallions in both the music room and living room are plaster originals. The one in this room has a basketweave motif and the one in the living room is designed with blades of grass.
The wall treatment is called lincrusta and it was designed to be painted has been around for about 90 years. It is still available today at prices beginning at approximately $115 per roll.
The stained glass window of the Angel is not original to the house. The original window which has large clear panes has been stored in the attic of the carriage house and is in good condition, so it could be put back by future owners, if they so desired. The previous owner had privacy concerns, so he purchased this window from a church under demolition in upstate NY and had it installed here.
For those interested in antiques, this is a talking machine, but most people call this a Victrola, named after the first maker. (Much like we use Kleenex to refer to tissue). This one is in working order and was made by the Supertone Talking Machine Co. of NY.
Other interesting antiques in the room are the Eastlake Rocker, Marble based White Metal Lamp, Victorian Parlor Chair, Gothic Cherry Table (this one is unique as most were made of mahogany), Needlepoint footstools, and Chippendale Low Boy. Note: The piano is missing, currently residing in VA with the owner’s son.
The glass topped coffee table has some old postcards depicting scenes of South Main Street -1897 in the snow & tree lined street, Park Street, County Street, The Solomon Sanitorium at La Sallette*, and Capron Park Casino.
*There is a cornerstone from this building in our patio garden that was purchased after the tragic fire that leveled it.
You will notice that the ceiling molding changes here from egg & dart to wreath & garland as you move to the Living Room. There appears to be a minor change in the hardwood floor where it is believed a wall used to be, separating the receiving room from the formal parlor that we refer to as the Living Room.
Living Room
The fireplace mantel insets repeat the urn & ribbon theme from the accents on the peak of the front of the house, the fans from the corbels on the exterior the house, and the dots from the stained glass windows. The fireback is floral. The glazed herringbone brick styled tiles with floral insets are original.
Antiques
Victorian Marble top Plant Stand
Parlor Couch (recovered)
His & Hers, aka king & queen, rolled back pleated chairs
Tapestry & Needlepoint Footstools
Bridge arm Reading Lamp
The pull cord is just decorative, but we still have several of the call bell buttons for the servants in various places in the house.
History & Front Door
Front Door
Welcome to the William H. Smith house, an example of high-style Queen Anne Victorian architecture. Some have called South Main Street Attleboro’s Queen Anne Way, with numerous fine examples of the style. This 1881 house is the best example of Queen Anne architecture on South Main Street and is an important integral part of the South Main Street streetscape.
The Victorian era lasted 64 years, from 1837 to 1901. Early Victorian structures were relatively simple in style, while those built after the Civil War in America are more elaborate and flamboyant, very much fueled by the new industrial society. The Queen Annes’ have a gabled roof, shingled insets, angled bay windows under the gable and, on occasion, a tower. This house is also marked by large, prominent chimneys with corbelled tops.
The house has multiple exterior wall materials, including two different shingles and clapboards. At the third level are fish-scale shingles. In the center are octagonal shingles.
The goal in painting this house was to utilize a paint pattern and color to bring attention to such architectural elements as the multiple shingle styles, cornerboards, cutaway corner windows, fluted columns, turned baluster balustrades, crown moldings, latticework, gutter moldings, dentals, scroll brackets, acorn and rosette designs, as well as the wood carved flowers, garland, ribbons, and sunbursts. The house is now painted with five base colors which were selected to highlight all of its architectural ornamentation and to be in keeping with its original paint scheme.
In the last quarter of the 1800’s, the manufacture of jewelry was a key industry in Attleboro. The Victorian architecture appealed to the owners of the jewelry factories as the complexity of the style mirrored the designs emanating from their factories.
The home was designed by William H. Goff who also designed such other buildings in Attleboro as the St. Joseph’s Parish House at 208 South Main Street (1880’s), the Bates Block at 4 Park Street (1886) and the McCormick house at 114 County Street (1886). Goff designed and built 185 South Main Street for William H. Smith, senior partner in the Smith & Crosby jewelry manufacturing company.
South Main Street has a strong association with the manufacture of jewelry, an important component in the industrial development of Attleboro. Numbers 185 and 181 are both associated with the Smith & Crosby jewelry manufacturing firm, with William H. Smith the owner of this spacious Queen Anne home and with his partner, Alfred R. Crosby, later building right next door at 181 Main Street.
Smith & Crosby was established in 1874 and William H. Smith was an original partner along with Alfred H. Crosby. In 1924, they had fifty employees and made a specialty of such solid gold front goods as cuff buttons, fobs, knives, chains, full-dress sets, bracelets, brooches, ear drops, etc.
William H. Smith remained in residence there until approximately 1910.
There is a controversy as to the date of the house and the identity of the original owner. The map on the wall inside the home is from Atlas of Bristol County by Beers 1871. This map identifies the owner of this house as L. Sweet (who may have been the brother to the first mayor of Attleboro), a jeweler located on North Main Street. The estate encompassed from here to approximately 3 miles south as the left boundary and to the railroad tracks to the rear. On the right there was another house. The property was divided up and Manchester Street was named for one of the previous owners of the property – possibly for the person who subdivided the land and created the street. The Attleboro Historical Commission has provided different information and we have gone with their findings.
The front doors are made of two different types of mahogany to give it a two toned look.
There was a round porch where the side porch ends that wrapped around to the front of the house about mid-way and reached to the second floor.
The lampposts were purchased at auction when they were updating the lights on the bridges between Cambridge and Boston and used here at each end of the front yard.
The brick walkway was placed over the original cement sidewalk. The cement apron that surrounds the house (as water and bug protection) still exists 8” below grade. We discovered it when we took out all of the bushes surrounding the foundation and were putting in our own crushed stone apron.
There are a number or architectural details that appear on the outside of the home and are repeated inside. Urn and ribbons that accent the front of the house are repeated in the fireplace inset in the living room. The full and half sunbursts are repeated as well. Swirl and dot carvings on the North side of the home are repeated in many of the stain glass windows. The fretwork above the front porch are repeated in mahogany on the main staircase as you first walk in.
Entry Hall/Foyer, Music Room, Living Room
Foyer
The best feature of the house is this original mahogany paneled staircase. The fretwork or lattice was typical of the time. There is a closet under the stairway. The two stained glass windows here and one in the entry hall between the two doorways have integrated designs on both the exterior and interior. The magnificent two storied stained glass windows are the hallmark of the staircase.
There are 15 stained glass windows in the house, 14 are original to the house. All have had protective exterior storm windows added to preserve them for generations to come. (The stained glass windows were appraised in 2006 for $250 per square foot).
Back then electricity was not very reliable, so this home had both electric and gas lighting. There are 7 gas fixtures still in the house. (For safety reasons the gas source to them has been disconnected and a new gas line has been run for current use). As a matter of fact, there is still a gas jet in the foyer closet.
“What goes around comes around” – although not our personal taste, we were surprised to find that this foil paper (popular in the 70’s) was actually a popular design at the turn of the century as well. A central foyer, such as this, was always a darker area of the home and the use of foil papers or other reflective metallic wall coverings were common in the homes of the wealthy.
All but one of the hardwood floors in the main rooms are the originals. These are characterized by the inlaid designs popular back then. We have added new hardwoods to a few of the other rooms during the course of restoration, as well as exposed and refinished some of the original plank wide board floors .
Just to show you how the quality of materials used in the home have held up, we have a few of the original radiators patented 1875 still working very well in the house.
There are 5 fireplaces in the house, 4 are original. Luckily for us, none of these mantels were ever painted and each has retained its rich oil-stained finish. The 4 originals mantels also have their original firebacks and tiles as well. Each fireback has a different design. The most dramatic is the one in the master bedroom of a face blowing what appears to be the north wind.
The house has been furnished, mostly, with antiques. (In fact, it is easier to point out what is new or reproduction, than it is to name them all). The more interesting ones will be pointed out in each room.
In the foyer, we have a walnut roll top desk from around 1900, mantel clock, and clock statute.
Music Room
This would have been used as a receiving room. The music room and living room was originally two rooms. There would have been a wall between here and the living room. Guests would be asked to wait here to be announced and then shown into the parlor through the doorway left of the mantel in the foyer.
The ceiling medallions in both the music room and living room are plaster originals. The one in this room has a basketweave motif and the one in the living room is designed with blades of grass.
The wall treatment is called lincrusta and it was designed to be painted has been around for about 90 years. It is still available today at prices beginning at approximately $115 per roll.
The stained glass window of the Angel is not original to the house. The original window which has large clear panes has been stored in the attic of the carriage house and is in good condition, so it could be put back by future owners, if they so desired. The previous owner had privacy concerns, so he purchased this window from a church under demolition in upstate NY and had it installed here.
For those interested in antiques, this is a talking machine, but most people call this a Victrola, named after the first maker. (Much like we use Kleenex to refer to tissue). This one is in working order and was made by the Supertone Talking Machine Co. of NY.
Other interesting antiques in the room are the Eastlake Rocker, Marble based White Metal Lamp, Victorian Parlor Chair, Gothic Cherry Table (this one is unique as most were made of mahogany), Needlepoint footstools, and Chippendale Low Boy. Note: The piano is missing, currently residing in VA with the owner’s son.
The glass topped coffee table has some old postcards depicting scenes of South Main Street -1897 in the snow & tree lined street, Park Street, County Street, The Solomon Sanitorium at La Sallette*, and Capron Park Casino.
*There is a cornerstone from this building in our patio garden that was purchased after the tragic fire that leveled it.
You will notice that the ceiling molding changes here from egg & dart to wreath & garland as you move to the Living Room. There appears to be a minor change in the hardwood floor where it is believed a wall used to be, separating the receiving room from the formal parlor that we refer to as the Living Room.
Living Room
The fireplace mantel insets repeat the urn & ribbon theme from the accents on the peak of the front of the house, the fans from the corbels on the exterior the house, and the dots from the stained glass windows. The fireback is floral. The glazed herringbone brick styled tiles with floral insets are original.
Antiques
Victorian Marble top Plant Stand
Parlor Couch (recovered)
His & Hers, aka king & queen, rolled back pleated chairs
Tapestry & Needlepoint Footstools
Bridge arm Reading Lamp
The pull cord is just decorative, but we still have several of the call bell buttons for the servants in various places in the house.
Landing/Library, Guest, Master Bedroom
Landing/Library
You will notice that the triple window design is repeated in many of the stained glass windows.
The hanging light fixture above the stairway came from a church and the one at the top of the stairs is original as well as the two ceiling medallions above them.
The bookcase is not original to the house. The leaded glass doors were purchased from an antiques dealer in Germany and brought back here. The mahogany floor to ceiling bookcases were built around them to seamlessly integrate them with the mahogany balustrades.
The artwork on the right wall at the top of the landing is a page from a decorators wallpaper sample book which depicted 17th century wallpapers that were in popular demand for use in Victorian homes.
Antiques
Console Table
Gold embossed leather top Library Table with various inlaid woods
Fruitwood Side Chair
Torchiere
On the Table are photos
1. About 1910 when the shutters & round porch was still on the house
2. 1912 – 1915 John Simmonds with his dog – shutters were removed (but are still in the attic of the carriage house). Check out the car in the driveway.
3. 1916 – 1920 one of the Simmonds family in front of the round porch
4. 1916 – 1920 one of the Simmonds family in front of the carriage house (see the enlargement of this photo framed in the downstairs back hall)
5. 1979 the round porch is gone, the 2 side porches had rotted out and were in the process of being rebuilt.
Guest Room
These stained glass windows are on the east side of the house and the rising sun creates dancing spotlights on the rug near the foot of the bed. Notice that the dots are repeated again as in the other windows as well as in the Living Room mantel.
Due to the fact that electricity was unreliable, each closet had a window to provide natural light. The design in each window was different, but the sunburst pattern from the exterior woodworking detail was repeated here. Also, several closets have built-in dressers and additional shelving.
Antiques
Brass bed c1900
Bookcase of mahogany with a lighter stain
Bedside commode in golden oak
Brass oil lamp (converted to electricity)
Bungalow style dark oak rocker
Cherry Tilt-top Table
Victorian Spindle Table
Master Bedroom
In the restoration of this room and the back hall, we discovered what may have been the original wallcoverings.
Ceiling medallion is original.
Within the Closet there are both a window and built-in dresser. All of the dresser hardware is original and restored by the owner. The window is a half sunburst design repeated from the exterior woodworking detail.
Windows
The Queen Anne window is marked by square window lights surrounding a large central light on the top over a large single pane in the bottom such as these. Large pane windows were just coming into vogue when this house was built as the ability to manufacture glass in large pieces was relatively new and a sign of wealth for those able to afford such a luxury.
Fireplace
The fireback for this fireplace is the North Wind and the owner’s favorite.
Servant call bells are to the right of the door as you enter and left of the doorway leading to the dressing room.
Antiques
Bedroom Set
Desk
Vanity
The marble top sink and vanity were probably added to the house in 1920 – 30’s. The hardware is Art Nouveau. It was not uncommon to go from a bedroom washbasin stand to a sink in the bedroom when plumbing became available. It has been restored to working condition.
Dressing Room
This room was probably originally a nursery and had the fireplace for heat. These are the original tiles and mantel. There are two closets at one end.
Antiques
Cedar Chest
Mahogany High Boy Chest
Tiger Maple Armoire
Shoe Polish Stand
The third floor is not open for the tour.
There are two rooms (currently used as offices) that were the maids’ rooms. One room still has the wiring from the call bells hanging from the wall which has been left undisturbed for esthetic purposes.
In the course of doing these two rooms over as offices, the original colors were discovered to be a very bright blue and fuchsia. It is thought that, due to the gas lighting at the time, rooms needed to be vibrant colors to show in a dimly lit room as having any color at all. One room has a double armed gas fixture which could be folded flat against the wall or extended over the bed for reading.
On your way downstairs, peek into the “sunroom” across the hall which used to be a bedroom. The flagstone floor was added in the 70’s when the courtyard balcony was added. The floor was placed over the original hardwood floor and the owners decided to use this room as is. With the door and windows open and the ceiling fan running, it makes a comfortable work or reading room in the summer. What used to be country cabinets were refinished to a more Victorian panel and authentic hardware.
Also, on your right across from the Dressing Room on the way downstairs is the Master Bathroom. The master bath was completely redone with all Victorian reproductions and includes a cultured marble sink and tub.
Note that the back hall was redone in an authentic color scheme. There are pictures at the bottom of the stairs above the antique sideboard that you may wish to see on the way out. There are also two of the 7 restored gas fixtures in this back hall; one at the top of the stairway and one at the lower landing.
Kitchen, Back Hall, Dining Room, Butlers’ Pantry
Kitchen
The side porch and side entrance was used to bring in groceries etc. The side entrance is blocked to provide a space for the home’s stereo system. There used to be a coat closet in the hallway which was back to back with the grocery cupboard. The coat closet would have been an open closet with a curtain, not a door. This shared space has changed proportions to allow the building of a lavette where the coat closet used to be and the grocery cupboard is now taller, but not as deep.
The kitchen has one of 7 existing gas fixtures. There were originally two, like sconces, on this wall, but one was removed by the previous owner to accommodate his large piece of furniture that was on this wall.
The beamed ceiling was put up during the World War II when plaster was rationed and was replaced with fiberboard. (The ceiling was probably collapsing at that time). The fiberboard ceiling was replaced with a plaster ceiling by the current owners.
The wallpaper is a William Morris print called “Pomegranate”. It was originally printed in England in 1876 and still is today. It was purchased by way of a Canadian importer to have something authentic and in keeping with the house.
The bead and board paneling in this room is the original. A special tool had to be made to clean the years of paint buildup from the grooves in the paneling. These are the original cabinets which have seen many faces over the years, but now have been restored to a style that would have been there originally. Radiator covers and other door panels were made to replicate the look of the cabinets.
The floor in this room is an exact replacement of the original floor which was old growth heart pine. The floor was covered with linoleum (which contained 12% asbestos as did most linoleums of that era) previously and would have been too costly to remove and properly dispose of. Instead a 4” x 4” square was cut out down to the original floor to get a sample. A restoration lumber company in NH was identified that was still producing old growth heart pine flooring, so it was ordered and installed directly over the old floor. It was color-matched and tung oil stained to blend with the original hardwoods in the hallway. As a consequence of all of the changes, the kitchen is now more fire retardant than when the current owners moved in.
The map on the wall is from Atlas of Bristol County by Beers 1871. This map identifies the owner of this house as L. Sweet (who may have been the brother to the first mayor of Attleboro), a jeweler located on North Main Street. So there is some controversy as to the date of the house and the identity of the original owner and the actual year that the house was built, be we have worked from the history provided to us by the MA Historical Society and the Attleboro Historical Commission.
Antiques
Oak commode (owned by Frank’s grandmother at the turn of the last century)
Regulator clock
Oak buffet
Oak table & chairs
Tiffany hanging light
Oak pedestal table
The chimney location indicates that at one time there was probably a stove in the “eat-in” part of the kitchen. When building the new cupboards and microwave space, a beehive oven was found imbedded in the side of the chimney.
The tiffany light may have originally been in the living room and at some point in time was relocated here to the kitchen.
If you walk through the galley part of the kitchen (from left to right) you will see that it has subway tiles which were styled after the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, NC. In the kitchen restoration, all period hardware and cupboard design was replicated from the late 1800’s. The tin ceiling and schoolhouse lights were added to be in keeping with the time.
The corian counter top was cut in a pencil edge to more authentically look like it came from a slab which is what would have been here.
The window over the sink was reconstructed from an old photograph, but uses modern operating hardware to make it more functional. This is an awning window, but the original would have slid up into a pocket in the wall above the window.
While restoring the kitchen wall where the Regulator clock is, we found evidence that there may have been a swinging door into the dining room. We have found are many doors in the attic that we assume have been removed from the house. There was probably one here at the kitchen/back stairway entrance.
Back Hall
The back door and back hall were probably used by the servants to go up to the 3rd floor bedrooms. The call bell buttons can still be seen at the back door on the right as you enter from the rear door near the light switches.
There are two photos; one of the carriage house and one of the sidewalk next to the side porch. This sidewalk is still there and is now covered by the brick walkway.
There is a gas fixture on the wall opposite the photos. The gas fixtures and door hardware were all restored by Frank who invested in his own polishing equipment after doing 4 -5 of these by hand.
Dining Room
Ceiling – Portions of the original ceiling still remain and are supported under this wood paneled ceiling. The original ceiling was plaster and painted with a blue stripe that matched the inlaid design on the hardwood floor. (Photos are in the Restoration Photo Album). The wood paneled ceiling was made by a friend in Cumberland, RI in numbered pieces, then transported here and put together like a puzzle.
The stained glass windows repeat the dots and the interior swirl design is repeated in the wood blocks on the north side of the house between the stained glass windows of the foyer. Landscape spotlights light up these windows when dining here in the evening.
The paneling in dark oak may have been added or replaced in the early 1900’s, based on the fact that there was previously a door to the kitchen on the right wall as you enter from the back hall.
The color of the room is Victorian Rose which is in keeping with the original colors in the house. Through the dining room windows you can see some of the decorative brackets and corbels that decorate the exterior of the house.
Miraculously, this is the original chandelier. It was stored in the attic when it was replaced by one of the previous owners with another chandelier. Through careful shopping at antique shops and shows, we were able to replace the few crystals that were missing and it has now been put back into its rightful place.
Butlers Pantry
The tin ceiling and gaslight style ceiling fixture are reproductions. The tin ceiling was added after the ceiling collapsed from previous water damage. (The house was abandoned for a period of time in its history. Fortunately, respect for private property existed in Attleboro and vandalism was not part of that era).
The butlers’ pantry has one of the original and most ornate gaslight wall fixtures in the house. The hand painted glass shade is believed to be the original as well.
There is a copper sink with a marble counter and original fixtures.
(We had to send the wall fixture out to be restored, but the plumbing fixtures were also restored by Frank)
Looking through the window, you will see a statue of a woman with a pitcher and saucer. On the window sill is a miniature of what she is supposed to look like. Coincidentally, the miniature took a tumble and lost her head too, but it has been glued back together to offer a glimpse of what the outside statue should look like. The statue in the patio garden whimsically holds its head on the saucer. Although, several tradespeople have offered to fix it, the owners like it as it is.
The butlers’ pantry window is the twin to the kitchen window that was remade for over the kitchen sink. This original window opened by moving it straight up into a wall pocket.
The cabinetry is original but it had suffered much painting and recovering over the years. It has been completely stripped down, the original wood sanded and stained in Brazilian cherry. The hardware matching the original latch and locks were finally found at a boatmaker’s supply house. The bin pulls are a design patented in the 1880’s and made from the original molds. The idea for lighting the cabinets came from a mansion tour in Newport.
Landing/Library
You will notice that the triple window design is repeated in many of the stained glass windows.
The hanging light fixture above the stairway came from a church and the one at the top of the stairs is original as well as the two ceiling medallions above them.
The bookcase is not original to the house. The leaded glass doors were purchased from an antiques dealer in Germany and brought back here. The mahogany floor to ceiling bookcases were built around them to seamlessly integrate them with the mahogany balustrades.
The artwork on the right wall at the top of the landing is a page from a decorators wallpaper sample book which depicted 17th century wallpapers that were in popular demand for use in Victorian homes.
Antiques
Console Table
Gold embossed leather top Library Table with various inlaid woods
Fruitwood Side Chair
Torchiere
On the Table are photos
1. About 1910 when the shutters & round porch was still on the house
2. 1912 – 1915 John Simmonds with his dog – shutters were removed (but are still in the attic of the carriage house). Check out the car in the driveway.
3. 1916 – 1920 one of the Simmonds family in front of the round porch
4. 1916 – 1920 one of the Simmonds family in front of the carriage house (see the enlargement of this photo framed in the downstairs back hall)
5. 1979 the round porch is gone, the 2 side porches had rotted out and were in the process of being rebuilt.
Guest Room
These stained glass windows are on the east side of the house and the rising sun creates dancing spotlights on the rug near the foot of the bed. Notice that the dots are repeated again as in the other windows as well as in the Living Room mantel.
Due to the fact that electricity was unreliable, each closet had a window to provide natural light. The design in each window was different, but the sunburst pattern from the exterior woodworking detail was repeated here. Also, several closets have built-in dressers and additional shelving.
Antiques
Brass bed c1900
Bookcase of mahogany with a lighter stain
Bedside commode in golden oak
Brass oil lamp (converted to electricity)
Bungalow style dark oak rocker
Cherry Tilt-top Table
Victorian Spindle Table
Master Bedroom
In the restoration of this room and the back hall, we discovered what may have been the original wallcoverings.
Ceiling medallion is original.
Within the Closet there are both a window and built-in dresser. All of the dresser hardware is original and restored by the owner. The window is a half sunburst design repeated from the exterior woodworking detail.
Windows
The Queen Anne window is marked by square window lights surrounding a large central light on the top over a large single pane in the bottom such as these. Large pane windows were just coming into vogue when this house was built as the ability to manufacture glass in large pieces was relatively new and a sign of wealth for those able to afford such a luxury.
Fireplace
The fireback for this fireplace is the North Wind and the owner’s favorite.
Servant call bells are to the right of the door as you enter and left of the doorway leading to the dressing room.
Antiques
Bedroom Set
Desk
Vanity
The marble top sink and vanity were probably added to the house in 1920 – 30’s. The hardware is Art Nouveau. It was not uncommon to go from a bedroom washbasin stand to a sink in the bedroom when plumbing became available. It has been restored to working condition.
Dressing Room
This room was probably originally a nursery and had the fireplace for heat. These are the original tiles and mantel. There are two closets at one end.
Antiques
Cedar Chest
Mahogany High Boy Chest
Tiger Maple Armoire
Shoe Polish Stand
The third floor is not open for the tour.
There are two rooms (currently used as offices) that were the maids’ rooms. One room still has the wiring from the call bells hanging from the wall which has been left undisturbed for esthetic purposes.
In the course of doing these two rooms over as offices, the original colors were discovered to be a very bright blue and fuchsia. It is thought that, due to the gas lighting at the time, rooms needed to be vibrant colors to show in a dimly lit room as having any color at all. One room has a double armed gas fixture which could be folded flat against the wall or extended over the bed for reading.
On your way downstairs, peek into the “sunroom” across the hall which used to be a bedroom. The flagstone floor was added in the 70’s when the courtyard balcony was added. The floor was placed over the original hardwood floor and the owners decided to use this room as is. With the door and windows open and the ceiling fan running, it makes a comfortable work or reading room in the summer. What used to be country cabinets were refinished to a more Victorian panel and authentic hardware.
Also, on your right across from the Dressing Room on the way downstairs is the Master Bathroom. The master bath was completely redone with all Victorian reproductions and includes a cultured marble sink and tub.
Note that the back hall was redone in an authentic color scheme. There are pictures at the bottom of the stairs above the antique sideboard that you may wish to see on the way out. There are also two of the 7 restored gas fixtures in this back hall; one at the top of the stairway and one at the lower landing.
Kitchen, Back Hall, Dining Room, Butlers’ Pantry
Kitchen
The side porch and side entrance was used to bring in groceries etc. The side entrance is blocked to provide a space for the home’s stereo system. There used to be a coat closet in the hallway which was back to back with the grocery cupboard. The coat closet would have been an open closet with a curtain, not a door. This shared space has changed proportions to allow the building of a lavette where the coat closet used to be and the grocery cupboard is now taller, but not as deep.
The kitchen has one of 7 existing gas fixtures. There were originally two, like sconces, on this wall, but one was removed by the previous owner to accommodate his large piece of furniture that was on this wall.
The beamed ceiling was put up during the World War II when plaster was rationed and was replaced with fiberboard. (The ceiling was probably collapsing at that time). The fiberboard ceiling was replaced with a plaster ceiling by the current owners.
The wallpaper is a William Morris print called “Pomegranate”. It was originally printed in England in 1876 and still is today. It was purchased by way of a Canadian importer to have something authentic and in keeping with the house.
The bead and board paneling in this room is the original. A special tool had to be made to clean the years of paint buildup from the grooves in the paneling. These are the original cabinets which have seen many faces over the years, but now have been restored to a style that would have been there originally. Radiator covers and other door panels were made to replicate the look of the cabinets.
The floor in this room is an exact replacement of the original floor which was old growth heart pine. The floor was covered with linoleum (which contained 12% asbestos as did most linoleums of that era) previously and would have been too costly to remove and properly dispose of. Instead a 4” x 4” square was cut out down to the original floor to get a sample. A restoration lumber company in NH was identified that was still producing old growth heart pine flooring, so it was ordered and installed directly over the old floor. It was color-matched and tung oil stained to blend with the original hardwoods in the hallway. As a consequence of all of the changes, the kitchen is now more fire retardant than when the current owners moved in.
The map on the wall is from Atlas of Bristol County by Beers 1871. This map identifies the owner of this house as L. Sweet (who may have been the brother to the first mayor of Attleboro), a jeweler located on North Main Street. So there is some controversy as to the date of the house and the identity of the original owner and the actual year that the house was built, be we have worked from the history provided to us by the MA Historical Society and the Attleboro Historical Commission.
Antiques
Oak commode (owned by Frank’s grandmother at the turn of the last century)
Regulator clock
Oak buffet
Oak table & chairs
Tiffany hanging light
Oak pedestal table
The chimney location indicates that at one time there was probably a stove in the “eat-in” part of the kitchen. When building the new cupboards and microwave space, a beehive oven was found imbedded in the side of the chimney.
The tiffany light may have originally been in the living room and at some point in time was relocated here to the kitchen.
If you walk through the galley part of the kitchen (from left to right) you will see that it has subway tiles which were styled after the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, NC. In the kitchen restoration, all period hardware and cupboard design was replicated from the late 1800’s. The tin ceiling and schoolhouse lights were added to be in keeping with the time.
The corian counter top was cut in a pencil edge to more authentically look like it came from a slab which is what would have been here.
The window over the sink was reconstructed from an old photograph, but uses modern operating hardware to make it more functional. This is an awning window, but the original would have slid up into a pocket in the wall above the window.
While restoring the kitchen wall where the Regulator clock is, we found evidence that there may have been a swinging door into the dining room. We have found are many doors in the attic that we assume have been removed from the house. There was probably one here at the kitchen/back stairway entrance.
Back Hall
The back door and back hall were probably used by the servants to go up to the 3rd floor bedrooms. The call bell buttons can still be seen at the back door on the right as you enter from the rear door near the light switches.
There are two photos; one of the carriage house and one of the sidewalk next to the side porch. This sidewalk is still there and is now covered by the brick walkway.
There is a gas fixture on the wall opposite the photos. The gas fixtures and door hardware were all restored by Frank who invested in his own polishing equipment after doing 4 -5 of these by hand.
Dining Room
Ceiling – Portions of the original ceiling still remain and are supported under this wood paneled ceiling. The original ceiling was plaster and painted with a blue stripe that matched the inlaid design on the hardwood floor. (Photos are in the Restoration Photo Album). The wood paneled ceiling was made by a friend in Cumberland, RI in numbered pieces, then transported here and put together like a puzzle.
The stained glass windows repeat the dots and the interior swirl design is repeated in the wood blocks on the north side of the house between the stained glass windows of the foyer. Landscape spotlights light up these windows when dining here in the evening.
The paneling in dark oak may have been added or replaced in the early 1900’s, based on the fact that there was previously a door to the kitchen on the right wall as you enter from the back hall.
The color of the room is Victorian Rose which is in keeping with the original colors in the house. Through the dining room windows you can see some of the decorative brackets and corbels that decorate the exterior of the house.
Miraculously, this is the original chandelier. It was stored in the attic when it was replaced by one of the previous owners with another chandelier. Through careful shopping at antique shops and shows, we were able to replace the few crystals that were missing and it has now been put back into its rightful place.
Butlers Pantry
The tin ceiling and gaslight style ceiling fixture are reproductions. The tin ceiling was added after the ceiling collapsed from previous water damage. (The house was abandoned for a period of time in its history. Fortunately, respect for private property existed in Attleboro and vandalism was not part of that era).
The butlers’ pantry has one of the original and most ornate gaslight wall fixtures in the house. The hand painted glass shade is believed to be the original as well.
There is a copper sink with a marble counter and original fixtures.
(We had to send the wall fixture out to be restored, but the plumbing fixtures were also restored by Frank)
Looking through the window, you will see a statue of a woman with a pitcher and saucer. On the window sill is a miniature of what she is supposed to look like. Coincidentally, the miniature took a tumble and lost her head too, but it has been glued back together to offer a glimpse of what the outside statue should look like. The statue in the patio garden whimsically holds its head on the saucer. Although, several tradespeople have offered to fix it, the owners like it as it is.
The butlers’ pantry window is the twin to the kitchen window that was remade for over the kitchen sink. This original window opened by moving it straight up into a wall pocket.
The cabinetry is original but it had suffered much painting and recovering over the years. It has been completely stripped down, the original wood sanded and stained in Brazilian cherry. The hardware matching the original latch and locks were finally found at a boatmaker’s supply house. The bin pulls are a design patented in the 1880’s and made from the original molds. The idea for lighting the cabinets came from a mansion tour in Newport.
Backyard, Exterior, & Carriage House
Backyard & Carriage House
The two copper topped shed roofs over the back door and carriage house side door were added by the current homeowners. The brackets were copied from existing brackets above the carriage house front doors.
Notice the sunburst over the hallway window above the back doorway. It is one of the patterns repeated throughout the house.
The carriage house was a working carriage house. It consists of two floors and a full basement. On the first floor there was carriage space, a space to wash the carriage with a drain, 4 horse stalls, and an “outhouse” style facility for the workers. On the second floor there is bedroom for the carriage man and there was a berthing stall in the basement. The carriage house was steam heated and the radiators remain. (They are wonderfully ornate). The furnace is in the basement and was fueled with coal. Prior to this source of heat, the horse manure was allowed to collect in the basement below the horse stalls. Vent pipes ran from this area to the cupola to allow for the venting of the methane gas but the heat from the decaying manure rose to increase the temperature in the horse stall area of the carriage house. Over the front door to the garage there is a door to receive hay. There is also a large overhead door in the ceiling that can be opened for lifting hay up to the second floor. Each of the horse stalls has a hay feeding system consisting of a shoot down which the hay was dropped landing in a feeding station at the height of the horses head. The horses always had fresh hay to eat and the carriage men only had to fill the system once a day.
The carriage house is not on the tour, but whenever the owners have a yard sale, they enjoy educating curious customers.
The driveway and walkway are made from Old English brick, rather than common brick.
There are two stones in the patio courtyard. The plain one in the far bed is one of the cornerstones of what was formerly the Solomon Sanitorium at the LaSalette Shrine commonly called the “castle” by the locals. These stones were “sold” for a donation for what was salvaged when it burned down a few years ago. The other fancy one is a piece of The Outlet Company in Providence, RI, also salvaged when the building was destroyed by a fire.
The garden statue is of a woman with a pitcher and holding a cup or a saucer. Her head was broken in an accident and now she holds it in the saucer.
You are welcome to walk around the exterior to see some of the elaborate architectural detail.
Thanks for coming.
Backyard & Carriage House
The two copper topped shed roofs over the back door and carriage house side door were added by the current homeowners. The brackets were copied from existing brackets above the carriage house front doors.
Notice the sunburst over the hallway window above the back doorway. It is one of the patterns repeated throughout the house.
The carriage house was a working carriage house. It consists of two floors and a full basement. On the first floor there was carriage space, a space to wash the carriage with a drain, 4 horse stalls, and an “outhouse” style facility for the workers. On the second floor there is bedroom for the carriage man and there was a berthing stall in the basement. The carriage house was steam heated and the radiators remain. (They are wonderfully ornate). The furnace is in the basement and was fueled with coal. Prior to this source of heat, the horse manure was allowed to collect in the basement below the horse stalls. Vent pipes ran from this area to the cupola to allow for the venting of the methane gas but the heat from the decaying manure rose to increase the temperature in the horse stall area of the carriage house. Over the front door to the garage there is a door to receive hay. There is also a large overhead door in the ceiling that can be opened for lifting hay up to the second floor. Each of the horse stalls has a hay feeding system consisting of a shoot down which the hay was dropped landing in a feeding station at the height of the horses head. The horses always had fresh hay to eat and the carriage men only had to fill the system once a day.
The carriage house is not on the tour, but whenever the owners have a yard sale, they enjoy educating curious customers.
The driveway and walkway are made from Old English brick, rather than common brick.
There are two stones in the patio courtyard. The plain one in the far bed is one of the cornerstones of what was formerly the Solomon Sanitorium at the LaSalette Shrine commonly called the “castle” by the locals. These stones were “sold” for a donation for what was salvaged when it burned down a few years ago. The other fancy one is a piece of The Outlet Company in Providence, RI, also salvaged when the building was destroyed by a fire.
The garden statue is of a woman with a pitcher and holding a cup or a saucer. Her head was broken in an accident and now she holds it in the saucer.
You are welcome to walk around the exterior to see some of the elaborate architectural detail.
Thanks for coming.
