On a very warm, sunny day, six members of the Hub Mystery Group met at the State House on Beacon Street. We then walked to our mystery destination at 55 Mt. Vernon Street, the Nichols House Museum. This Beacon Hill Townhouse, built in 1804, was designed by Charles Bullfinch. In 1855 it was purchased by Dr. Arthur Nichols and his wife Elizabeth for its location and architectural significance. The family was involved in the social, cultural and political activities of the time and wanted their three daughters to have the advantages of this area of Boston. The doctor had his office and practice on the first floor of the house and the family occupied the three floors above.
They traveled extensively in Europe and collected artwork, tapestries and furniture with which they decorated their home. This lovely house/museum also includes the handiwork of their three talented daughters. Rose, the oldest, took classes at MIT, was a successful landscape architect, writer, artist and suffragist. Marian, the middle daughter, graduated from Radcliffe, was very involved in local politics and loved driving. One month after the 19th amendment was passed she filed papers to represent her Ward in the MA Legislature. She lost the election, but is remembered as one of the first women to run for office in Massachusetts. Margaret, the youngest and only one to marry, enjoyed athletics and carpentry. She opened her own furniture business and taught carpentry in the North End. All of the women were suffragists and pacifists. The Nichols family had a summer estate in Cornish, NH as part of the artist colony of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the daughter’s “Uncle Gus.” When Rose died in 1960 she had already made arrangements for the house to become a museum and remain as it was when the family lived there.
After this delightful tour we walked down Joy Street to our favorite Italian restaurant for lunch.
Peg T
