News release from Preserve Milton

Milton’s “Great Gatsby” era estate and mansion will be open on Sunday, October 21 from 2 to 5 PM for a reception, tour, and open house. Refreshments will be served.

Mrs. Holden McGinley’s 1925 mansion at 582 Blue Hill Ave. was designed by Bigelow and Wadsworth, the ‘Gilded Age’ architect for the wealthy in Bar Harbor, the Hamptons, Manchester by the Sea, and Newport.

This 12,169 sq.ft. whitewashed brick colonial mansion, with views of the Blue Hills, is set on 2½ acres. The extraordinary terraced landscape, walled gardens, riled garden water elements, pergolas and in ground pool were designed by Ellen Biddle Shipman, the “Dean of Women Landscape Architects” of that period.

This distinctive Georgian Mansion has six bedrooms, most with a sitting room or study. The four story house has all the classic features, a three story, sky lit, sweeping, spiral staircase, a paneled library, twelve bathrooms, thirteen fireplaces, fourteen rooms, large windows, and two dumb waiters. Intimate nooks, closet space and built in storage abound.

The 30 x 35 ft dining room, where the reception is to be held, has a unique Moroccan ceiling design. The room overlooks the gardens and it features a huge fireplace which can burn four ft. long logs. The very livable kitchen is modern with smart dark wood cabinets and extensive copper covered counter space. The first floor includes a nanny’s apartment and a floral arranging workroom. The meticulously restored house is stunning, and the blue ribbon winning landscape design fantastic.

The carriage house and cottages, formerly part of the McGinley estate, are now Delphi Academy at the corner of Robbins Street. The original 50 acre estate included what are now Alfred Road, Barbara Lane, and Meetinghouse Lane.

The reception and open house is for the benefit of the Citizens for Milton Community Preservation, which supports a ‘Vote YES on 4’ educational campaign.

Admission is $100 per person, payable at the door or online at Www.PreserveMilton.org. Checks may be made payable to “Preserve Milton”.

Donations may be mailed to Andrew Russell, Treas., 37 Dyer Avenue, Milton 02186 or be made on line at Www.PreserveMilton.

For a rare glimpse into a bygone historic era, plan to attend this Sunday.