Highfield Hall in Falmouth, MA

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_2TMxJrX3PkIvFer7v-SML-PybjrCXwr_3ln9RHGM86YXCmcnarhGjsh1F8cGaIW8P9DRDagpEHQ2XtkSa-tPWyRIlW6tLtJzcK4-rfxmnSM5G6QPbmG2w3DpCUdIeO93qS4-ObqZ2of/s1600/4657799839_3797c3311a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_2TMxJrX3PkIvFer7v-SML-PybjrCXwr_3ln9RHGM86YXCmcnarhGjsh1F8cGaIW8P9DRDagpEHQ2XtkSa-tPWyRIlW6tLtJzcK4-rfxmnSM5G6QPbmG2w3DpCUdIeO93qS4-ObqZ2of/s320/4657799839_3797c3311a_b.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.highfieldhall.org/images/banner-history.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://www.highfieldhall.org/images/banner-history.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">image courtesy of Highfield Hall</span></div><br />Last weekend I spent a couple of very relaxing days in Falmouth, MA hanging out with some girlfriends. Lots of laughs, good food and cocktails were enjoyed by all. On Saturday afternoon, we took a little field trip to a property in town called <a href="http://www.highfieldhall.org/">Highfield Hall</a>.  This classic Queen Anne Victorian house, which is 17,000 sq. ft., was completed in 1878 by the sons of James and Ester Beebe of Boston who had purchased the nearly 700 acres of land near their summer home in Falmouth.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.highfieldhall.org/images/history-Highfieldivy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://www.highfieldhall.org/images/history-Highfieldivy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">image courtesy of Highfield Hall</span></div><br />The Beebe sons each built a home, Highfield Hall in 1878 and Tanglewood in 1879.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.highfieldhall.org/images/history_highfield_1999_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.highfieldhall.org/images/history_highfield_1999_front.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">image courtesy of Highfield Hall</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>In 1949, Highfield Hall was purchased by DeWitt TerHeun and his wife who brought theater and the arts to the grounds. Unfortunately, they also mangled the exterior of the building, creating a faux plantation style look. Yuck. Mr. TerHeun died in 1962 and by 1972, developers were eying the property. It was then purchased by philanthropists Josephine and Josiah K. Lilly who donated the then nearly 400 remaining acres to the town of Falmouth for permanent conservation. Unfortunately, Tanglewood was demolished by 1977 and over the next two decades Highfield Hall fell into sad disrepair. Luckily, a group of concerned people banded together and formed the Friends of Highfield and established the hall as a non-profit and saved it from the wrecking ball. Starting in 2001 with a fund of $8,000,000 donated by private individuals, the restoration began. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4657821271_7c37f2d501_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4657821271_7c37f2d501_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4657822825_90821124aa_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4657822825_90821124aa_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4657824445_ec73467612_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4657824445_ec73467612_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Luckily, the house was open for a meeting so I was able to wander around and take some pics of the amazingly interiors. As you can imagine with a restoration this significant, the building has been restored, but the furnishings are harder to come by. The house can be rented out for weddings and I can just imagine how beautiful it would be, filled with round tables and beautiful floral arrangements.<br /><br />Below is the Great Hall foyer - how amazing is this huge space? It's more of a central room than a hallway. All the main rooms are set off this central space. The walls are painted with Ben Moore White Dove and feature a custom pomegranate stencil with gold overlay. (click on images for larger view)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1301/4658424704_41b411689f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1301/4658424704_41b411689f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Here are the stained glass windows at the front entrance.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4658424224_6f291b2c09_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4658424224_6f291b2c09_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This beautiful room is the first parlor space off the Great Hall. The beautiful wallpaper is William Morris "Windrush" and the trim is one of my absolute go-to colors, Ben Moore Philadephia Cream HC-30. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4657800789_9bb9a4a6b7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4657800789_9bb9a4a6b7_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />Detail of the William Morris wallpaper. The bottles were excavated from trash sites on the property. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4657799839_3797c3311a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4657799839_3797c3311a_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />Across from the left-hand parlor is the small right hand parlor, which is currently used as an office. The walls are papered in Brunschwig & Fils "Gallier Diamond" and the trim is a custom Donald Kaufman color. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4658425772_8f4a2e587a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4658425772_8f4a2e587a_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1282/4657804215_bd1984e9ab_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1282/4657804215_bd1984e9ab_b.jpg" /></a></div><br />This is the glorious ballroom. The woodwork is stunning and the light filled room just begs to be used for entertaining. The walls are painted in Ben Moore Norway Spruce with a lighter blue overglaze, the trim is BM Linen White. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4658427176_f143490b09_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4658427176_f143490b09_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This is one of only two known vintage photographs of the interiors. Note the tri-part china cabinet along the wall on the left, this is now a large opening to the Great Hall. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4657809577_f57d50a146_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4657809577_f57d50a146_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4658427766_65d7501290_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4658427766_65d7501290_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4658428258_c28082d755_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4658428258_c28082d755_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4657806711_e266f9aa5b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4657806711_e266f9aa5b_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4658437668_b3c2c40345_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4658437668_b3c2c40345_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1284/4658438204_8e292bf2e8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1284/4658438204_8e292bf2e8_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4657807195_28fee3b472_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4657807195_28fee3b472_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4657810081_8a6f48a729_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4657810081_8a6f48a729_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The plaster and woodwork is simply to die for. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4658430494_ac5a3e52da_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4658430494_ac5a3e52da_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4658435106_6f8f744f90_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4658435106_6f8f744f90_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1307/4657809071_769da2da28_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1307/4657809071_769da2da28_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />This is the billiard room of the back of the house. One can imagine the men retiring to this room to smoke their cigars and drink their brandies. This is the clearest example of Arts & Crafts style architecture in the house. The walls are painted in BM HC122, with an overglaze of HC 2144-10 with a touch of umber.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1307/4658442368_853a3140e8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1307/4658442368_853a3140e8_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br />Here is the original cast iron cooking stove in the kitchen, made by the Cyrus Carpenter & Co. of Boston. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1302/4658443428_18ec1a418b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1302/4658443428_18ec1a418b_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />The pantry cabinets are from Creative Kitchens in Mashpee, with subway tile walls.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4658442988_f8f5868e62_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4658442988_f8f5868e62_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Here is the dining room at the center rear of the first floor. The walls are painted in BM Navaho white with a green overglaze.  The custom stencil is of a pomegranate that coordinates with the Great Hall stencil design and is inspired by the stained glass window inset shown below. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4657824997_c8cc4fa475_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4657824997_c8cc4fa475_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1280/4657825699_0de583765f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1280/4657825699_0de583765f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4658449408_3972ae50a3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4658449408_3972ae50a3_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>And we head upstairs.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1272/4657816275_4006ef1993_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1272/4657816275_4006ef1993_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4658439560_d6b486d47d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4658439560_d6b486d47d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This is the upstairs hall that matches the Great Hall on the first floor. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4658440956_777bf0c03d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4658440956_777bf0c03d_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />The Ter Heun room on the second floor is located above the first floor dining room. It is painted in BM HC 149 Buxton Blue. So pretty!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4657817713_6f84739eab_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4657817713_6f84739eab_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And this is the sweet second floor Brides Bathroom.  The walls are painted in Benjamin Moore 975. Stripes are painted in a medium blush color with a lighter, sheer overglaze. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4658441384_e651af3cac_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4658441384_e651af3cac_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><embed align="middle" flashvars="cy=lt&il=1&channel=1152921504608316679&site=widget-07.slide.com" name="flashticker" quality="high" salign="l" scale="noscale" src="http://widget-07.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" style="height: 320px; width: 426px;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed><div style="text-align: left; width: 426px;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=lt&at=un&id=1152921504608316679&map=1" target="_blank"><img border="0" ismap src="http://widget-07.slide.com/p1/1152921504608316679/lt_t001_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=lt&at=un&id=1152921504608316679&map=2" target="_blank"><img border="0" ismap src="http://widget-07.slide.com/p2/1152921504608316679/lt_t001_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=lt&at=un&id=1152921504608316679&map=F" target="_blank"><img border="0" ismap src="http://widget-07.slide.com/p4/1152921504608316679/lt_t001_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" /></a></div></div><br />This home reminded me so much of my visit to the <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/search/label/edith%20wharton">Edith Wharton estate</a> last summer in the Berkshires. It's a couple of decades older and not quite as grand, but as with the Wharton estate, the maintenance costs are staggering and constant fund  raising is needed to keep up with repair bills, heating and improvements. <a href="http://www.highfieldhall.org/index.shtml">Click here</a> to read more about this impressive restoration project and to learn about all the exciting events that take place year round. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Highfield Hall in Falmouth, MA

  image courtesy of Highfield Hall Last weekend I spent a couple of very relaxing days in Falmouth, MA hanging out with some girlfriends. Lo...

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Music Hall Monday: Boston Opera House rises from the ashes

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNywxv-Hk8xZr784h191HN5SYwjjDhFjLXfOKHneSE9N_8l8wvkHGmStddvCTMX9icHuPmYHYtfEd1EGONkh4p3ZKo4oeo1lWOUTP88Tsw_20KrKB1gR94WtC_25xpNxZKf8zoOAODII5/s1600/BostonOperaHouseLMerrill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNywxv-Hk8xZr784h191HN5SYwjjDhFjLXfOKHneSE9N_8l8wvkHGmStddvCTMX9icHuPmYHYtfEd1EGONkh4p3ZKo4oeo1lWOUTP88Tsw_20KrKB1gR94WtC_25xpNxZKf8zoOAODII5/s640/BostonOperaHouseLMerrill.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Inside the lobby looking out towards the street.</span></div><br />Last week, I took a tour of the Boston Opera House with several members of my IFDA chapter. What a gorgeous place and the history is even more remarkable. I'd been in the building for some performances in the late 80's and it was in a sad, dilapidated state then and was finally refurbished over a two year span between 2002-2004. I wanted to share some of the photos I took last week, plus a brief history of this gem of downtown Boston.<br /><br />The Opera House was built in 1928 by Edward Albee (great-grandfather of the playwright) to memorialize his best friend Benjamin Franklin Keith. They had been business partners and theater owners since the late 19th century. The theater, named the BF Keith Memorial Theater, was designed by architect Thomas Lamb and cost approximately $5Million to build. This was a true vaudeville palace with shows taking place all day long. Mr. Albee had exceptionally high standards and wanted his theater to be a family place, open to all, especially the middle classes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bostonoperahouseonline.com/Images/OHHistoric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.bostonoperahouseonline.com/Images/OHHistoric.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">image via<a href="http://www.bostonoperahouseonline.com/History.htm"> Boston Opera House online</a></span></div><br />Workers and performers were fired on the spot if they used vulgar language or exhibited vulgar behavior. Apparently "son of a gun", "slob" and "hully gee" were big no-no's. Boston had a thriving Burlesque industry and the BF Keith Memorial Theater was not going to be mistaken for the burley-q!   After Vaudeville was replaced by the "talkies", the theater was converted to a movie palace known as the RKO Keith Theater.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bostonoperahouseonline.com/Images/HistoricFront.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.bostonoperahouseonline.com/Images/HistoricFront.gif" width="306" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">image via<a href="http://www.bostonoperahouseonline.com/History.htm"> Boston Opera House online</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>In 1965, Sack Theaters purchased the building and renamed it The Savoy. The proscenium arch was bricked up and the hall was split into an upper and lower theaters.  In 1978, Sarah Caldwell, of the Opera Company of Boston, purchased the building and renamed it The Opera House. She struggled mightily throughout the 1980's to stage opera in Boston, but never had the funds to properly care for the rapidly decaying building and closed up shop in 1991, when the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the building as #11 on its Most Endangered list. The ceiling was falling down and there was over a foot of stagnant water in the basement level. In 2002, the city of Boston issued permits to Clear Channel Entertainment to refurbish the building. $52Million dollars and 2 years later, the new and gleaming Boston Opera House re-opened for business. The Boston Ballet regularly performs in the space and it also hosts major theatrical runs, currently "Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein", and other performers.  In 2009, music impresario Don Law and local philanthropist/businessman David Mugar, along with others, purchased The Boston Opera house.  Quite a full circle - from music promoters to conglomerates to artist owed and back to music promoters. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sec.state.ma.us/MHC/mhcpres/pafall05/operahouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.sec.state.ma.us/MHC/mhcpres/pafall05/operahouse.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">image via <a href="http://www.sec.state.ma.us/MHC/mhcpres/WhatIsitFall2005.htm">Massachusetts Historical Commission</a></span></div><br />And now my photo tour:<br /><br />This is the ceiling over the lobby. There are nearly 20 (I think we were told) chandeliers that are original to the building. And they are spectacular!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/4552617249_4ccf2a9e51_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/4552617249_4ccf2a9e51_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/4552616199_48e72ed51b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/4552616199_48e72ed51b_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3574/4552618797_358fb3e6e2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3574/4552618797_358fb3e6e2_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />Looking towards the stairs leading to the mezzanine level. The bust in the center background is that of BF Keith, which was lost and then found in time for the re-opening.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3580/4553257544_f7e26bcd08_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3580/4553257544_f7e26bcd08_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />The carpeting throughout the theater is a copy of the original carpeting laid down in 1928. The red panels are silk brocade. <br /><br />Looking up towards the mezzanine level hall outside the theater. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4553259146_7c4b422e94_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4553259146_7c4b422e94_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />Across the lobby are a series of false windows and balconies which provide symmetry overlooking the lobby.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4552622053_627bf7580f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4552622053_627bf7580f_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />The view of the lobby from the mezzanine staircase.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4552625833_8f110027f4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4552625833_8f110027f4_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The dome overlooking the mezzanine stair landing. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/4553263074_aa1294cc0d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/4553263074_aa1294cc0d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This is the ladies lounge. Originally, this space had a series of dressing tables where the ladies could sit and chat, reapply makeup and generally gossip with girlfriends. The sconces were set quite low to provide the best light when seated at the mirrors. And yes, if you have a good eye, you will see the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream cart reflected in the mirror!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4552622857_c7b91012af_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4552622857_c7b91012af_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br />The medallion ceiling in the ladies lounge. All the plaster work was done on site during the restoration. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4552624385_921f88371b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4552624385_921f88371b_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />This is the sterling silver chandelier hanging in the men's smoking room. It was impossible for me to truly capture the glory of this piece with my little camera and bad lighting, but wowsa. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/4553264144_2c8ba56fbc_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/4553264144_2c8ba56fbc_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This is one of several non-working fireplaces original to the building. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4552626943_420547a5e2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4552626943_420547a5e2_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />We were not allowed to take photographs inside the hall itself as the Young Frankenstein set was on stage (copyright issues), so I am sharing these images from other sites. The hall seats over 2,600; 1,300 upstairs and 1,300 downstairs. Mr. Albee's belief that theater should be available to all meant that there are no bad seats in the house, no obstructed views and very few seats are underneath the mezzanine, which can obscure sound. <br /><br />As said above, when the building was a movie theater, they created two theaters-one up and one down.The view of this image is from the second level, several owns behind the mezzanine level seats. Imagine a false floor extending off the mezz seats right to the stage, cutting it in two. The horror. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bostonpreservation.org/people/images/OperaHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://www.bostonpreservation.org/people/images/OperaHouse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">image via <a href="http://www.bostonpreservation.org/people/accomplishments.htm">Boston Preservation Alliance</a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/opera505-thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/opera505-thumb.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">image courtesy of<a href="http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2009/05/live_nation_agr.html"> Boston.com</a> (<span class="attr">John Tlumacki/Globe staff)</span></span></div><br />Thanks to the <a href="http://www.bostonoperahouseonline.com/">Boston Opera House</a> for hosting our group and providing such an informative tour! Although the theater no long does original productions, it's so wonderful to see the care that the new management is taking of this architectural and historical gem. After we left the theater,  a few of my friends and I headed over to the new Ritz Carlton for dinner in the lounge. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Hully gee - that was a nice day!<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Music Hall Monday: Boston Opera House rises from the ashes

Inside the lobby looking out towards the street. Last week, I took a tour of the Boston Opera House with several members of my IFDA chapter....

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