Fernside-Vacation House for Working Girls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fernside-Vacation House for Working Girls
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Princeton, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 6.73 acres (2.72 ha) |
| Built | 1835 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000695 |
| Added to NRHP | June 27, 2002 |
Fernside, also known as the Vacation House for Working Girls, is a special historic place in Princeton, Massachusetts. It's made up of three buildings: a main house, a barn that became a playhouse, and a two-car garage. This property has a long and interesting history, especially for young women who worked hard in the city.
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Welcome to Fernside!
Fernside is a historic site that once served as a summer getaway. Imagine a place where people could escape the busy city and enjoy nature! This property is important because it shows us how people used to relax and what life was like for working women over a hundred years ago.
A Home with a History
The main house at Fernside was first built in 1835 by Benjamin Harrington. It was designed in the Federal style, which was a popular way to build homes back then. Around 1870, this large house was changed into a summer hotel. People would come here to stay and enjoy their vacations.
A Special Place for Working Girls
In 1890, something really special happened. A group called the Working Girls' Vacation Society bought Fernside. Their goal was to give city working women a nice place to spend their summers. These women often had tough jobs and didn't have many chances to relax. Fernside became their peaceful retreat.
Around this time, more parts were added to the main house. The old barn was also turned into a fun playhouse. This made Fernside an even better place for the women to enjoy their time off. The Society used Fernside for nearly a hundred years, helping many women. They finally sold the property in 1989.
What is Fernside Like?
The Fernside property covers about 6.73 acres, which is like having several football fields! The main house is the biggest building. The barn, which became a playhouse, shows how old buildings can be given new life. The two-car garage is also part of the complex.
Today, Fernside is owned by McLean Hospital. They have used the property for various support and wellness programs.
A National Treasure
Because of its important history and how well it has been kept, Fernside was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. This means it's recognized as a very important historical site in the United States.
Fernside is special because it's the best-preserved old resort hotel left in Princeton. Many other hotels like it were built in the late 1800s, but Fernside is still standing strong. It might even be the oldest resort in the entire country that was specifically for working women. It tells an important story about social history and how people tried to improve the lives of others.
