The Shirley-Eustis House

08/24/2021

Shirley-Eustis Place is now a City of Boston Landmark. Thank you to the Boston Landmarks Commission, Mayor Kim Janey's office, Representative Liz Miranda's office the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative and the neighbors, members and friends who supported our petition.

In assembling the documentary materials for our landmark appliation we received invaluable assistance from Harvard student Aabid Allibhai, who has begun to uncover the untold history of slavery at Shirley Place. And in order to better understand the architectural history of the site, Boston Landmarks Commission issued a study report which included the old outbuilding at 42-44 Shirley Street. The information contained in these reports provides the tools to begin telling a more complete story of eighteenth century life at Shirley Place. We can now to recognize and honor the lives of the enslaved people--Jack and Jane, Thomas Scipio, Affy, Caesar, Hannah, and others yet to be discovered-- who made the gentility and beauty of His Excellency the Royal Governor's country residence possible. They, along with thousands of other enslaved people in New England, were an integral tool in the success of the colonial enterprise both before and after the American Revolution.

07/31/2021

Thank you to the many people who commented in support of our petition for City of Boston landmark status at the Boston Landmarks Commission hearing on Tuesday, July 27. There are still a few hoops to jump through, including review by the Mayor's office and City Council, but we're hopeful, and Tuesday's meeting showed that people in Roxbury and beyond understand the importance of preserving the complex and compelling history that lives here. You can read or download the study report prepared by the Landmarks Commission here:https://content.boston.gov/sites/default/files/file/2021/07/272.21%20Shirley-Eustis%20Place%20Study%20Report_Final%20Amended.pdf

Thank you to the many people who commented in support of our petition for City of Boston landmark status at the Boston Landmarks Commission hearing on Tuesday, July 27. There are still a few hoops to jump through, including review by the Mayor's office and City Council, but we're hopeful, and Tuesday's meeting showed that people in Roxbury and beyond understand the importance of preserving the complex and compelling history that lives here. You can read or download the study report prepared by the Landmarks Commission here:https://content.boston.gov/sites/default/files/file/2021/07/272.21%20Shirley-Eustis%20Place%20Study%20Report_Final%20Amended.pdf

06/23/2021

Thanks to everyone who donated to our May Preservation Month fundraiser. Your gifts totaled over $2,500 and helps us keep the Carriage House and Mansion at Shirley Place looking trim.

Thanks to everyone who donated to our May Preservation Month fundraiser. Your gifts totaled over $2,500 and helps us keep the Carriage House and Mansion at Shirley Place looking trim.

06/19/2021

Early Photographs of Juneteenth Celebrations

Happy Juneteenth to all. The Public Domain Review has a wonderful photo essay of early celebrations of the holiday in Texas, where it originated. Check it out here: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/juneteenth-photographs

Historical photographs of early Juneteenth celebrations throughout its home state of Texas and across the country.

03/08/2021

A downy woodpecker foraged among the pear trees at the Shirley-Eustis House this morning. Maybe the warm sunshine brought some bugs out from hibernation?

A downy woodpecker foraged among the pear trees at the Shirley-Eustis House this morning. Maybe the warm sunshine brought some bugs out from hibernation?

12/25/2020

The Shirley-Eusis House seen from the folly on the west lawn. We wish everyone a safe and serene holiday.

03/14/2020

Special Announcement: In order to assist the Commonwealth's efforts to contain Covid-19 the buildings and grounds of Shirley Place will be closed to tours through at least April 24th. All scheduled events and programs have been cancelled or postponed until that time. Please check our website for updates.

02/20/2020

Exciting day for SEHA! It just released its first major publication....the reissue of the late eminent historian John A. Schutz's William Shirley, King's Governor of Massachusetts. The beautiful 420 page Expanded Edition of the classic 1961 biography includes new material by the late author and contributions by historians Robert J. Allison, the late William Pencak and Michael H. Gorn. A Book Launch event is scheduled for sometime in September at the Mansion.

11/04/2019

Exciting news! SEHA has acquired Gilbert Stuart's portrait of William Eustis. Deaccessioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the painting was purchased on October 8th at an auction conducted by William Doyle Galleries, Inc. of New York. The Association is thrilled that it was able to seize a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring the portrait back to Boston and to the Roxbury mansion William and Caroline Eustis once owned. An official unveiling will take place in the spring of 2020.

10/01/2019

Thank you Members HistoryAtPlay/Judith Kalaora and J.Archer O'Reilly III for donating your talent to SEHA this past Sunday! Judith's performance of Deborah Sampson is not to be missed. The event was made even more special by the play's opening introduction by General Henry Knox. Photo credit: Matthew A. Dickey. For more information about HistoryAtPlay visit www.HistoryAtPlay.com or call 617.752.2859

08/27/2019

Thank you Tufts FOCUS program for including SEHA on your community service projects list! This past Saturday first year incoming students Cecilia Adams, Christina Beane, Nancy Healy, Marwah Kiani, Jeremy Newman, Jack Robinson, Lilah Silverman and Sabrina Wen, led by Upperclassman Emma Tombaugh, helped with our never ending landscaping chores. Following their volunteer work they were treated to a private tour of the Mansion.

08/25/2019

Our summer tour season ended on a special note this afternoon as we welcomed San Francisco resident Jaima Dwyer back to Shirley Street. Jaima lived next door to the Mansion as a child and was very happy to finally have the chance to visit. We hope you come back again soon Jaima!

08/22/2019

Last chance for a Saturday afternoon tour! Our 2019 summer schedule ends on August 24th. Visit the Mansion at 1:00, 2:00 or 3:00 p,m. Be sure to stroll our beautiful grounds and orchard before or afterwards.

08/17/2019

Our summer of Saturday afternoon tours will soon be over. Visit August 17th or August 24th at 1:00, 2:00 or 3:00 p.m.

08/02/2019

Come explore the Mansion. Beautiful Georgian and Federalist features abound. Tours every Saturday through August 24th at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. Free for SEHA members and Blue Star families. All others $5 to $8. Photo credit: Tina Rodocker.

07/30/2019

Some fun scenes from yesterday's Shirley Place Historic Landscape Lecture & Tour...Master Gardener Mary Lou O'Connor and some of our guests, Floral Artist Estela Rosario with her beautiful creations, our gorgeous gardens and cupcakes! Thank you all who helped and participated. Photo credits Frederic C. Detwiller and Tina Rodocker.

07/23/2019

Join us for the Shirley Place Historic Landscape Lecture and Tour this coming Sunday, July 28th at 2:00 p.m. Optional Mansion tour 12:45 to 1:30 p.m.

07/11/2019

Our Master Gardeners and floral designer have been very busy preparing for our July 28th Historic Landscape Lecture and Tour. They want everything to look perfect for the special event. Thank you Mary Lou, Marian, Amy, Dyan, Althea and Estela. Madam Eustis would be so pleased!!

07/04/2019

Wishing our members and friends a very Happy Fourth of July. No tours this coming Saturday but Shirley Place will once again be open to visitors on July 13th at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.

06/27/2019

It was gardening galore at Shirley Place today. While MA Master Gardeners Mary Lou, Althea and Dyan heavily pruned our lilacs, a team of six from the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department Community Works Program cleared our ivy beds of massive amounts of weeds. Thank you all!

06/22/2019

Last Saturday's tours brought a wonderful visit from a former Shirley Street neighbor. Marion was a small child when she lived next door to the then empty and severely deteriorated mansion in the early 1960's. She was delighted to discover it had been fully restored in 1985 and to finally be able to explore its interior. Tours tomorrow, Saturday June 22nd, at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.

06/17/2019

On this day in 1745 the French surrendered to New England Colonial forces on Cape Breton Island following the Siege of Louisburg. The Siege was one of the most important battles of King George's War. The expedition was organized at the suggestion of the Royal Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay William Shirley and its success largely credited to his energy and enthusiasm. Shirley would go on to build his country estate in Roxbury in 1747 and be appointed Commander-in-Chief of all British forces in America in 1755.

06/17/2019

On this day in 1775 Revolutionary War surgeon William Eustis tended to casualties during the Battle of Bunker Hill. Among those killed on Breed's Hill was Patriot Joseph Warren, friend and medical teacher of William Eustis. According to British General Thomas Gage, Dr. Warren's death was "worth the deaths of 500 men".

06/16/2019

Painters' Progress....our shutters are nearly rehung. Governor Jeanne Richardson took these photos on Friday, June 14th. Thank you to all who made this major exterior repair project possible.

06/14/2019

When you visit the Mansion be sure to take a close look at the countless beautiful architectural and decorative features found within its many rooms! Guided tours tomorrow, Saturday June 15th at 1:00, 2:00 or 3:00 p.m.

06/13/2019

The Mansion's shutters are freshly painted and are due to be rehung tomorrow. Until then the giant pilasters appear even more prominent. Shirley Place was one of the first houses in America to apply the Georgian architectural feature. Stop by for a tour this Saturday at 1:00, 2:00 or 3:00 p.m.

06/10/2019

Born on this day in 1753 William Eustis went on to become a Revolutionary War surgeon, state legislator, United States Congressman, Secretary of War, Minister to the Netherlands and the 12th Governor of Massachusetts. He died in office in 1825. William Eustis and his wife Caroline Langdon purchased Shirley Place in 1820. Visit their former country estate and experience how they lived in 19th century Roxbury. Guided tours this Saturday at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.

06/09/2019

Another fun Saturday at Shirley Place! The news is spreading fast about our "hidden gem". Visitors from California, Russia, the Boston burbs and our own neighborhood kept us busy. Matthew Dickey of the Boston Preservation Alliance checked out the Carriage House with his group of 25 Beer+Mortar Preservation Month tour attendees before heading off for refreshment at Backlash Brewery. You can find Matthew on Instagram @_MADickey

Visit Shirley Place next Saturday, June 15th, at 1:00, 2:00 or 3:00 p.m.

06/05/2019

Take a guided tour this Saturday, June 8th, at 1:00, 2:00 or 3:00 p.m.

06/02/2019

Summer tours have begun. Explore Shirley Place next Saturday at 1:00, 2:00 or 3:00 p.m.

06/02/2019

Lots of smiles at yesterday's Breakfast and Preview Tour for SEHA Members!

06/01/2019

Shirley Place summer tour season begins today, June 1st! Throughout the month we will be open to visitors every Saturday at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.

05/30/2019

With less than 48 hours remaining before our summer season officially begins our Mansion is nearly painted and our beautiful peony gardens preparing to bloom. Join us Saturday, June 1st for a tour of Shirley Place at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.

05/30/2019

Visitors from California and Georgia, in town for Harvard graduation, included Shirley Place on their historic tour itinerary. Our summer tour season begins this Saturday, June 1st at 1:00 p.m.!

05/26/2019

Wishing all our Members and Friends a lovely Memorial Day Weekend. The Shirley-Eustis House honors our nation's servicemen by participating in the Blue Star Museum program. The Mansion holds a special place in colonial American military history. From 1775 to 1776 it served as barracks and hospital for members of the First Continental Army during the Siege of Boston.