Redtop (Belmont, Massachusetts) facts for kids
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Red Top
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Redtop in Belmont, Massachusetts
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Belmont, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1878 |
| Architect | McKim, Mead & Bigelow |
| Architectural style | Shingle Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000911 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 11, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | November 11, 1971 |
Redtop (sometimes spelled Red Top) is a historic house in Belmont, Massachusetts. It is famous for its unique Shingle Style architecture. This house became a National Historic Landmark in 1971. It is important because a well-known writer, William Dean Howells, lived there. Howells (1837–1920) was a big supporter of realism in writing.
The house was designed by Howells' brother-in-law, William Rutherford Mead. The Howells family lived in Redtop from 1877 to 1882.
History of Redtop
The Redtop house was designed as a summer home. It was created by William Rutherford Mead. He was the brother of Elinor Mead Howells, William Dean Howells' wife. Mead was also a partner in a famous architecture company.
The house got its name "Redtop" because its roof was originally covered with red wood shingles. The family thought of other names, but "Redtop" stuck! A man named Charles Fairchild owned the house. He rented it to the Howells family. The house was made to fit the Howells' style. Construction started in 1877. The Howells family moved in on July 8, 1878. By 1885, they moved to Boston. This was partly because of family illness.
William Dean Howells' Time at Redtop
William Dean Howells had great success as a writer while living at Redtop. During the 1880s, he wrote many novels. He also wrote short stories, magazine articles, and plays.
At Redtop, Howells had a special study. It had white wood panels and a carved area for naps. Here, he finished two books: The Lady of The Aroostook (1879) and The Undiscovered Country (1880). He also started writing A Woman's Reason (1883).
Famous Visitors
Many other famous American writers visited Redtop. They came to see the Howells family. Mark Twain, a very famous author, visited Redtop eight times! Other important visitors included Thomas Bailey Aldrich and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Henry James and Charles Dudley Warner also came to the house.
Location and Design
Redtop is located on a large piece of land. It sits high up on Belmont Hill. From the house, you can see views of Cambridge and Boston. The house is built with bricks. It was first covered in wood shingles. This was in the Queen Anne style. The large, sloping roof was a main feature. It was red, giving the house its name. Today, the roof is covered in gray shingles. The outside walls were later changed. They are now covered with stucco instead of wood shingles.
The novelist Henry James visited Redtop. He described the house as a "fairy abode of light and beauty." He loved its "cheerful, breezy hill." He said, "I never saw a house that took my fancy more captive at once." He also loved the views from the house. He thought the house and its landscape were truly wonderful.
The original drawings for Redtop are still kept safe. You can find them at the Amherst College Archives.
