1. Landscapes

Larz Anderson Park, Brookline

The Larz Anderson estate was once the summer home for Larz and Isabel Anderson, Boston socialites who married in 1897 and inherited her father's fortune and estate. They named the 64-acre property Weld, after her grandfather who originally settled the property and built a shipping and mercantile empire. When Isabel inherited the fortune at age 5, she became the wealthiest woman in the world.

From their travels the Andersons created a summer residence equal to that of any great estate in the world. At its height in the early-1900s, it featured cultural gardens, theaters, ponds, sculptures, a large residence, and an equally large carriage-house to store their cars and horses.

When Isabel passed away in 1948 the estate was donated to the Town of Brookline. Today, the original lands are intact and nearly un-developed from the time of the Andersons. It's a treasure to find in the outskirts of Boston. But the upkeep and maintenance has lagged in recent times and much of what made this a treasure has been destroyed or removed. The original home is gone. The open space is still here but the manicured grounds have become overgrown. The water garden (pond) is still a beautiful setting but the water itself is filthy and oily (runoff outlets can be seen in my photos, indicating that this pond is more of a basin).

There are some well-preserved sections of the property that merit praise and adoration: the former carriage-house is now the Museum of Transportation and houses 14 of the original Anderson cars as well as other automotive artifacts, and the Japanese garden on the edge of the property is lovingly maintained by volunteers.

The estate sits in a sort of suspension - neglected but not abandoned, partially in ruins, partially in restoration. I see the enormous potential of this site in commercial purposes. But I also understand what little has been done deserves enormous praise and encouragement. Perhaps one day Brookline can fully realize the huge potential of this property.
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  • Allee

    Allee

  • Allee

    Allee

  • Allee

    Allee

  • Bowling Green. The bowling green, next to the house. It was used for exactly what its name implies - lawn bowling. This is one of the simplest, and therefore, best-preserved features of the estate.

    Bowling Green. The bowling green, next to the house. It was used for exactly what its name implies - lawn bowling. This is one of the simplest, and therefore, best-preserved features of the estate.

  • Bowling Green. With the terrace in the background.

    Bowling Green. With the terrace in the background.

  • Exedra. An exedra is a curved sitting bench with a high back. The Anderson's used it for consultations and entertaining. It faced the bowling green. Behind it was the spectacular Italian garden (it's a skating rink now). The plaque in the center was added in the late 20th century.

    Exedra. An exedra is a curved sitting bench with a high back. The Anderson's used it for consultations and entertaining. It faced the bowling green. Behind it was the spectacular Italian garden (it's a skating rink now). The plaque in the center was added in the late 20th century.

  • Exedra. This is the plaque encased in the exedra. It symbolizes the gift of the estate to the Town of Brookline upon Isabel's death in 1948. The name Weld is of her maternal grandfather, who founded the property.

    Exedra. This is the plaque encased in the exedra. It symbolizes the gift of the estate to the Town of Brookline upon Isabel's death in 1948. The name Weld is of her maternal grandfather, who founded the property.

  • Italian Garden - now a skating rink

    Italian Garden - now a skating rink

  • Italian Garden. This is one of two gateways marking the entrance to the Italian Garden. It is thought these were actual ruins brought from Greece by the estate's principal architect, Charles A. Platt. These are located adjacent to the bowling green.

    Italian Garden. This is one of two gateways marking the entrance to the Italian Garden. It is thought these were actual ruins brought from Greece by the estate's principal architect, Charles A. Platt. These are located adjacent to the bowling green.

  • Residence. This is a pathway leading along the south edge of the residence. The bowling green is on the right. It's not real clear where this went - the drive is on the left but there are no steps between them. The Italian Garden is behind me but no direct steps. I suppose this was an alternate path instead of walking through the bowling green.

    Residence. This is a pathway leading along the south edge of the residence. The bowling green is on the right. It's not real clear where this went - the drive is on the left but there are no steps between them. The Italian Garden is behind me but no direct steps. I suppose this was an alternate path instead of walking through the bowling green.

  • Tempietto. The tempietto at the East end of the Water Garden. It was inspired by the Temple of Love at Versailles.

    Tempietto. The tempietto at the East end of the Water Garden. It was inspired by the Temple of Love at Versailles.

  • Tempietto. The tempietto at the East end of the Water Garden. It was inspired by the Temple of Love at Versailles.

    Tempietto. The tempietto at the East end of the Water Garden. It was inspired by the Temple of Love at Versailles.

  • Tempietto. The tempietto at the East end of the Water Garden. It was inspired by the Temple of Love at Versailles.

    Tempietto. The tempietto at the East end of the Water Garden. It was inspired by the Temple of Love at Versailles.

  • Terrace. The former terrace of the main residence. The house would have sat immediately to the right. The bowling green on the left. You can still make out the pattern of the fountain that abutted the house. Many of Mr. Anderson's prized bansai trees were displayed here.

    Terrace. The former terrace of the main residence. The house would have sat immediately to the right. The bowling green on the left. You can still make out the pattern of the fountain that abutted the house. Many of Mr. Anderson's prized bansai trees were displayed here.

  • Water Garden

    Water Garden

  • Water Garden

    Water Garden

  • Water Garden

    Water Garden

  • Water Garden

    Water Garden

  • Water Garden

    Water Garden

  • Water Garden

    Water Garden

  • Water Garden

    Water Garden

  • Water Garden

    Water Garden

  • Water Garden. This was supposed to be a photo displaying a sense of history. Except the kid picked up his cell phone right before I started shooting...

    Water Garden. This was supposed to be a photo displaying a sense of history. Except the kid picked up his cell phone right before I started shooting...

  • Water Garden with the tempietto and the Putterham School house in the background.

    Water Garden with the tempietto and the Putterham School house in the background.

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