Thanks to the great kindness of Bob Gilgan, Susan and I got to have a private tour of the Daniel Webster house in Marshfield, something I have wanted to do for years. It is a magnificent Queen Anne-style house, built in 1880, a replacement for the original which burned in 1878. The house was built after Webster died (1852) on the original foundation by his daughter-in-law, Caroline White Webster, with William Gibbons Preston as architect. Bob is treasurer of the Daniel Webster Preservation Trust which maintains the estate.
Here is a (large) collection of pictures from our visit.
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Beginning outside, this is the washhouse. |
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And Webster's separate law office. |
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The Carriage house on the left, and a newly-discovered well. |
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Entering the house. There was a baby shower in progress, so we started upstairs in the top floor, which has not been restored. |
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Down to the second floor, which has been beautifully restored and decorated, with many period pieces donated to the property. |
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The central hall upstairs, leading to bedrooms, etc. |
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A depiction of Daniel Webster in his final day of life. |
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A painting of the original 1840 house. |
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Upstairs, in the unfinished 3rd. floor, a child's settee and baby carriages. |
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Perhaps the best portrait in the house. |
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Daniel Webster helped the U.S. and Canada define a portion of the New Hampshire border,, which was violently disputed, and was awarded this inkwell, by President Tyler. |
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Some of the architect's drawings for the 1880 house. |
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Susan and Bob Gilgan |
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Inside the little law office |
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from the rear |
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Finally downstairs, the main dining room. |
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An unusual fireplace, with flues going up the sides. |
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Webster's coat-of-arms |
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The main foyer |
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Thank you so much, Bob, it was a real treat! |