Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, Wakefield, Mass.

Title

Cyrus Wakefield mansion, Main Street, circa 1870

Description

"The home built by Cyrus Wakefield was razed on October 17, 1921 to make way for the new high school on Main Street. An October 18, 1921 Wakefield Daily Item editorial reflected on the once-stately home: "Much has been written and said about the old Wakefield Mansion, and its destruction by building wreckers brings a tinge of sadness to old-time Wakefield people who knew the attractive estate at its best, and who perhaps shared in some of the activities in which the senior Cyrus Wakefield took such an active part of, 70 years ago. In its day, people came here from miles around to see the beautifully kept flowerbeds, the attractive grounds and the imposing mansion. The stately halls of the mansion witnessed many gay and festive occasions when dignitaries from far and wide, and beyond the seas were entertained by Mr. Wakefield. Even up to the time when the Red Cross temporarily occupied the house during the World War, it seemed a great pity to use some of the rooms, for they were in an excellent state of preservation. The 'magic mirror' in the front hall where both young and old were fascinated by its myriad reflection and the numberless nooks and corners about the spacious rooms formed attractive features until the last." In closing, the editorial noted, "...and now the house that long since became historic gives way to a new high school building where children of generations yet to come will know about the mansion only by reading local history or by hearing what their elders may tell them in the line of reminiscences." The 10-acre estate stood on land which now houses the Galvin Middle School." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.

Image from the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department annual calendar, 2020

Photo courtesy of JC Marketing Associates

Contributor

Institution: Lucius Beebe Memorial Library

Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (Wakefield, Mass.)

D'Onofrio, Jayne M.

Coverage

Massachusetts -- Middlesex (county) -- Wakefield

Date

ca. 1870

Format

image/jpeg

Publisher

Wakefield, Mass. : Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department

Subject

Architecture, domestic

Wakefield Mansion (Wakefield, Mass.)

Type

still image

Photographs

Original Format

1 picture: b & w

Extent

24 x 23 cm.