Lyman Estate facts for kids
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The Vale
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Front facade of the Lyman Estate.
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| Location | 185 Lyman Street, Waltham, MA |
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| Area | 37 acres (15 ha) |
| Built | 1793 |
| Architect | Samuel McIntire, William Bell |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000737 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 30, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | December 30, 1970 |
The Lyman Estate, also known as The Vale, is a historic country house located in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA. It is a very old and special place. Today, a group called Historic New England owns and takes care of it. You can visit the outdoor areas for free every day. If you want to see inside the house, you need to buy a ticket.
This large estate was started in 1793 by a rich merchant from Boston named Theodore Lyman. He bought about 400 acres (162 hectares) of land. For over 150 years, the Lyman family used this estate as their summer home. When it was first built, it had a big house, green lawns, pretty gardens, special greenhouses, and even a deer park. There was also a working farm on the property.
Today, the estate still has many interesting trees. You can also see a very long, 600-foot (180 m) brick wall where peaches used to grow. The Lyman family also planted many beautiful rhododendrons and azaleas here in the late 1800s.
Contents
The Historic House
The main house at the Lyman Estate is a beautiful example of the Federal style of architecture. It has 24 rooms! The house was designed by an architect named Samuel McIntire and finished in 1798.
Grand Ballroom and Oval Room
The house has a grand ballroom with a very high ceiling. It has fancy decorations, big windows, and a marble fireplace. This room was used for big, formal parties. There is also a smaller, oval-shaped room. This room was used for more relaxed family get-togethers. In 1882, the house was made even bigger. Some of Samuel McIntire's original design was changed during this expansion.
Amazing Greenhouses
The Lyman Estate is famous for its greenhouses. The very first one was built before 1800. Many people think it's the oldest greenhouse in the entire United States!
Growing Exotic Fruits
The Grape House was built in 1804. It was made to grow fruits that were hard to find in America at the time, like oranges, pineapples, and bananas. Today, this greenhouse has many grape vines. These vines grew from small pieces taken in 1870 from Hampton Court Palace in England.
Camellia House
The Camellia House was built around 1820. It was made for growing camellias. These beautiful flowers first came to America from places like China, Japan, and Korea in 1797. Many of the camellia plants at the Lyman Estate are more than 100 years old! You can visit these historic greenhouses today.
A National Treasure
In 1970, the Lyman Estate was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important place in American history. It was recognized for its special architecture and its amazing landscape design. It's rare to find a place that still looks so much like it did in the 1700s.
Filming Location
The Lyman Estate has been used as a filming location for movies!
- In 2019, parts of the movie Little Women were filmed here. This movie was based on the famous book by Louisa May Alcott.
- In 1979, the movie The Europeans was also filmed at the estate. This film was based on a novel by Henry James.
Images for kids
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Greenhouse interior
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Ballroom
