Beauport (Gloucester, Massachusetts) facts for kids
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Beauport
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Beauport
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 75 Eastern Point Boulevard, Gloucester, Massachusetts |
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| Area | .75-acre (3,000 m2) |
| Built | 1907 |
| Built by | Henry Davis Sleeper |
| Architect | Halfdan M. Hanson |
| Architectural style | Shingle Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000641, 76000246 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 26, 1976 |
| Designated NHL | May 27, 2003 |
Beauport, also known as the Sleeper–McCann House, is a very special historic home in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA. It was once the summer house of a famous interior designer named Henry Davis Sleeper. Today, it is a museum where you can explore its many unique rooms and see amazing collections.
Contents
The Story of Beauport
Building a Dream Home
Beauport was built starting in 1908. It was designed as a summer getaway for Henry Davis Sleeper, who was a talented interior decorator and loved collecting old things. The house sits right on the rocks, looking out over Gloucester Harbor. It's a beautiful spot!
Sleeper kept adding to and changing the house over the years. He filled it with a huge collection of art, old crafts, and interesting pieces from other buildings. He had a special way of decorating each of the 56 rooms. Each room had a different theme, like something from history or a famous story. Beauport was his personal escape, a place for fun summer parties, and a way to show off his amazing design skills.
New Owners and a Museum
After Henry Davis Sleeper passed away, a couple named Charles and Helena McCann bought the house. Helena was from the F. W. Woolworth Company family. They loved Beauport and kept most of Sleeper's designs and decorations. They also added their own beautiful collection of porcelain to the house.
In 1947, the McCann family's heirs gave Beauport and everything inside it to a group called the Society for the Protection of New England Antiquities. This group is now known as Historic New England. They turned Beauport into a house museum, so people like you can visit and see this incredible place!
Beauport in the Spotlight
Beauport has been featured in many books and magazines over the years. The first big article about it appeared in House Beautiful magazine in 1916. It has also been shown in publications like Architectural Digest and Country Living. You might have even seen it on TV shows, such as America's Castles.
Protecting Beauport's History
A National Treasure
Beauport was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 2003. This is a very important title! It means the house is special because of its unique architecture, its amazing collections, and its connection to Henry Davis Sleeper. Sleeper's design ideas influenced many wealthy families across the eastern United States.
Other Buildings on the Property
Besides the main house, Beauport also has a few other buildings that Henry Davis Sleeper built. These include a gate house, a garage, and a toolshed.
- The gate house has been changed by Historic New England to be the visitor reception area. This is where you start your tour!
- The toolshed now has restrooms for visitors.
- The garage is used for storage and as office space for the museum staff.
There is also one other building on the property, which is a caretaker's house. It was built after World War II and is an example of a prefabricated house from that time.
Gallery
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Beauport, 2016
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The Paul Revere Room (also called Chapel Chamber) in 1928.
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The Amethyst Glass passage in 1928.
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The Octagon Room in 1928.
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The China Trade Room in 1928.
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The Pine Kitchen in 1928.
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See also
