Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 22.

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[p. 31] and you step down two or three steps from the latter to reach the rooms of the ell. There are many rooms, all the old ones having fire-places, for to the original building rooms have been added in the ell on two stories to include modern conveniences.

The plain exterior gives no hint of the charm of the interior. The house faces nearly south, with an entrance of generous proportions in the middle. On each side of the hall are large square rooms on both stories, in each of which are four large shuttered windows. The hall is particularly interesting, wide and high, ending at the second story in a rounded or domed ceiling. At the back it is part of an ellipse, with a door on each story of peculiar construction, being curved. The work was so well done that there has never been any warping and they close perfectly. The staircase is wide, long and curving, of easy ascent. The hand-rail is mahogany, the balusters are simple square uprights, making a light, graceful effect.

On the first floor, back of the northeast room, is a small one once a butler's pantry. From this a passageway leads to a small but wide, high, well-lighted hall, giving an entrance on the west. This is a fine piece of work. At the back of this hall, its east side, the back stairs come down to meet the front hall, which is wholly shut off from the small one. The east part of this small hall is a fine arch, and here, and in other parts of the house, is some fine but simple ornamental woodwork.

Later owners have made minor changes here that have not substantially altered the plan. The integrity of the old-fashioned mansion is maintained, and no evidence is visible to the casual observer of altered construction. The external appearance of the house is the same today as when built. The entrance door of the small hall has side and top lights, the former with long, narrow hinged shutters. The north wall of the butler's pantry and of the little hall was the limit of the main part of the house, and from the pantry a door led outside.