The Poet's Perspective

The Opulence Of Highfield Hall

Welcome to The Poet’s Perspective. I recently had the opportunity to visit Highfield Hall in Falmouth. This Queen Anne style mansion was built in 1875 and restored impeccably between 2001 and 2007.

    The place has an opulence rarely seen, correct to the tiniest detail. The first thing I noticed upon entering  Highfield was the lack of creaks that so often plague older houses. It seems the restorers made sure every joint was tight.

   The history of Highfield Hall is worth noting. James Beebe, a dry goods magnate, purchased 700 acres in 1872, just uphill from the recently built train station in Falmouth. The train was integral to area’s new development, as now wealthy summer folks could arrive quickly and comfortably.

    Beebe’s Children then built Highfield.

“Brothers Pierson and Franklin and

sister Emily built a lavish "summer cottage"                      

in the Queen Anne stick style modeled after

 the British Pavilion in the great 1876

Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. Highfield Hall was completed in 1878, and its sister mansion, Tanglewood, where the J. Arthur Beebes took up residence, was finished in 1879. Thus began over fifty years of Beebes living and entertaining in their "summer cottages"at Highfield. In its heyday, the hill must have been a bustling scene. The miles of carriage trails, riding trails, gardens, two huge homes, and numerous outbuildings required a small army of servants to maintain. The Beebes even started a farm on Shore Street to provide produce for their Falmouth

and Boston residences.”  

http://www.highfieldhall.org/history.htm

     This is how I remember Highfield looking when I frequented the area as a teenager in the mid 80’s

Photo Courtesy of  Highfield Hall

The Restoration of Highfield Hall was an enormous undertaking.

Read details here.

http://www.highfieldhall.org/history.htm#Restoration

The following photos are from my recent tour.