Endicott Estate
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Endicott Estate
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| Location | Dedham, Massachusetts |
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| Coordinates | 42°14′29″N 71°9′48″W / 42.24139°N 71.16333°WCoordinates: 42°14′29″N 71°9′48″W / 42.24139°N 71.16333°W |
| Built | 1904 |
| Architect | Alden, Henry Bailey |
| NRHP Reference # | 02000128 |
| Added to NRHP | March 6, 2002 |
The Endicott Estate is a mansion built in the early twentieth century, located at 656 East Street in Dedham, Massachusetts “situated on a 15-acre panorama of lush green lawn that is punctuated by stately elm, spruce and weeping willow trees.” It was built by Henry Bradford Endicott, founder of the Endicott Johnson Corporation, and donated to the Town by his adopted stepdaughter, Katherine. After she died it was briefly owned by the state and intended to be used as the official residence of the governor, but was quickly returned to the Town. Today it is used for a variety of civic events and is rented out for private parties.
On January 12, 1904, Henry Endicott's home burnt to the ground while he and his family were away. The fire department was not able to get to the estate in time as they were dealing with three other fires simultaneously, including one at the fire house, and deep snow. The fire was discovered around 10 p.m. by a caretaker who lived in the house. It took several hours to extinguish the flames. The house and furnishings were valued at more than $15,000.
It is said that "Henry took the burning of the homestead as a divine command to rebuild, and rebuild he did, although not without incident.” He cleared the ashes away and built a new homestead on the 15-acre (61,000 m2) parcel, today known as the Endicott Estate, and bought a new fire truck for the Town.
The three story building he constructed has nine bathrooms, eight bedrooms, a library, a music room, a ballroom, a mirrored parlor, a butler's kitchen, a linen room, and servants' quarters. When a radiator burst during the construction, "causing a raging river to crash down the main stairway," he tore down one end of the house and burned a pile of beautiful wall paneling, parquet floors, and elegant woodwork, much to the dismay of his neighbors. An additional 70' was then added onto the house. Construction cost $60,000.
When complete, it included "carved moldings that couldn't be reproduced at any cost," large all marble bathrooms, "intricate wall sconces," and a pipe organ. Katherine would never allow a tree, no matter how old, to be cut down.
When he died in 1920 he left the building to his wife, who in turn left it to her daughter Katherine in 1944. In 1955 Katherine wrote a letter to the Board of Selectmen, indicating that she intended to leave the house and grounds, then-valued at $600,000, to the Town when she died. At the time, it was speculated that it may become the site of a new high school, swimming pool, and town hall.
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